Tomoki Iwata Steals the Show for Birmingham

Tomoki Iwata made headlines on Monday night as he got on the scoresheet for Birmingham City, just a few weeks after his surprising permanent move from Celtic.

The Japanese midfielder’s third goal of the night helped secure a 3-1 win over Wrexham, spoiling the evening for the Welsh side with David Beckham in attendance.

Iwata’s transfer to Birmingham came as a shock to many Celtic fans, who had expected the midfielder to be sent out on loan rather than sold permanently.

After showing versatility and work rate during his time at Celtic, supporters were puzzled by the decision. A loan option seemed like the more natural choice to keep Iwata’s development in-house. Instead, Birmingham swooped in to secure his services permanently, and the move is already paying dividends.

Iwata’s replacement Luke McCowan opened his Celtic account at the weekend, scoring against Hearts.

Iwata’s goal against Wrexham was crucial in Birmingham’s comeback, after Jack Marriott gave Wrexham an early lead. Jay Stansfield levelled the score for Birmingham before adding a second, and Iwata sealed the victory with a strike in the 59th minute, his first for his new club and a spectacular shot from outside the box. With Beckham in the stands, it was an evening full of high-profile moments, but it was Iwata’s decisive contribution that stood out.

While Celtic fans may still be wondering what could have been had Iwata stayed in Glasgow, his quick start at Birmingham shows he’s ready for the next chapter in his career