FINALLY: Pundit opens up secret fact on how Celtic lost Postecoglousl’s Glasglow favorite who is “dependable and solid figure” at Celtic Park to Birmingham City.
At first glance, Birmingham City’s decision to look north of the border during the summer transfer window wasn’t particularly surprising. After all, Tomoki Iwata was brought to the UK by Ange Postecoglou to join Celtic and spent much of his time under Brendan Rodgers, Postecoglou’s successor. Chris Davies, Birmingham City’s manager, had worked closely with both Postecoglou and Rodgers during Rodgers’ successful first spell at Celtic before embarking on his own managerial career.
As Football.Scotland reporter Ryan McDonald explained, “Their close relationship likely played a role, as the move came somewhat unexpectedly.”
Birmingham City had a hectic end to the transfer window, particularly as they focused on re-signing Jay Stansfield before the deadline. Many fans may have overlooked Iwata’s arrival amid the club’s moves for Ayumi Yokoyama, Scott Wright, and Lyndon Dykes. Initially, Iwata was just another new face among many.
However, Iwata quickly cemented his place in the starting lineup and demonstrated his quality. This shift left Marc Leonard, who had been developing a promising partnership with Paik Seung-ho, waiting for his chance. Although Leonard remains a solid option, the starting spot now firmly belongs to Iwata.
Reflecting on Iwata’s brief time in Glasgow, McDonald remarked, “If I had to describe Tomoki in one word, it would be ‘solid.’ He was reliable and never let the team down.” Iwata primarily played as a holding midfielder but was also used as a center-back by Postecoglou, notably during the 2023 Scottish Cup final when Celtic clinched the treble.
While Iwata can also operate in a deeper role, Birmingham City’s current depth at center-back means that, for now, he is unlikely to be needed in defense. This depth was evident last weekend when the team kept their first clean sheet of the season without two key defenders available.
McDonald added, “His physical presence was ideal for Scottish football, and he always did his job when called upon.” That physicality is also an asset in League One, which, despite its shift toward ball-playing teams, still demands a high level of toughness. Iwata is accustomed to playing for a side that dominated possession, which suits his style.
Last season, Celtic had midfielders like Reo Hatate, Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor, and Matt O’Riley, meaning Iwata was often used as a substitute. Injuries also disrupted his season, but he still made 24 appearances, including starting at Ibrox in the 3-3 Glasgow Derby and playing in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid.
“He never fully established himself as a regular at Celtic,” McDonald noted. “Postecoglou brought him to Glasgow from Yokohama F. Marinos in January 2023, but when Rodgers took over six months later, Iwata found himself filling in rather than securing a regular spot. When McGregor returned from injury, Iwata was benched, showing his place in the pecking order. His departure wasn’t a surprise as he didn’t quite fit Rodgers’ style.”
Despite his limited role, Iwata’s departure on deadline day left Celtic fans puzzled. His ability to recycle possession effectively made him a valuable squad player, and many were surprised he was allowed to leave.
For neutrals, it might seem equally surprising that Birmingham City managed to lure Iwata from a club competing in the Champions League to a League One side. He isn’t the only player to sacrifice European football for the opportunity to join Birmingham City. Alfons Sampsted, for instance, could have played for Twente at Old Trafford in the Europa League but chose Birmingham instead.
This highlights the influence of Knighthead Capital’s investment in the club. It shows Birmingham City’s long-term ambitions and their appeal to prospective signings, as they lay out plans to restore the club to the Premier League and continue progressing both on and off the pitch.
“It wasn’t too long ago that Iwata was named J1 League Player of the Year,” McDonald pointed out. “Considering that players like Reo Hatate and Kyogo struggle to get into the Japan national team, that’s an impressive achievement. There’s no doubt Iwata belongs at a higher level in England, but he’s likely bought into Birmingham City’s project and sees the bigger picture. It’s a big club with ambitious backers, and he’s probably earning more than he did at Celtic.”
If Iwata continues to perform as he has, no one at Birmingham will begrudge him the move.