Tomoki Iwata vows Celtic will bounce back from Well draw frustration against Rangers
TOMOKI IWATA has vowed to right the wrongs of the draw against Well ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final.
Ange Postecoglou’s perfect home record was smashed by the Steelmen as Kevin van Veen secured a point for the visitors.
The Hoops — who had taken the lead through Callum McGregor — were lacklustre throughout.
And Iwata knows there can be no repeat when they face Rangers at Hampden.
The Japanese midfielder stressed: “We definitely have time until the next game.
“We just have to review what happened in this game and try again to play our attractive football.
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"Getting a result is very important.
"Every minute in the game is going to be important for us.
“So we will try and take the opportunity to do everything we can.
“I have played twice in the derby, in the League Cup final and in the league derby here at home.
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“There were very good atmospheres in both of the games. Of course, though, it’s very important that we get the result.
“It’s not just about playing in a good atmosphere.
“I just need to prepare as well as I can for the next game.
After joining Yokohama, Iwata helped Postecoglou’s former club win the title in the same year he was crowned Player of the Year.
Yet the 26-year-old has no intention of resting on his laurels.
The midfielder is determined to win more silverware in Glasgow and he’s vowing to embrace the pressure of an Old Firm Scottish Cup showdown.
Iwata said: “Of course, winning titles in Japan and getting the player of the year award was pretty precious to me.
“Coming here, though, I had to switch my head again.
“Now I’m with Celtic, I’m trying to achieve something here but nothing has been done yet.
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“I enjoy the pressure because this is something you don’t really get often.
“But at the same time, I just want to perform well in each game. That’s what I need to do in the following games.”
Skipper McGregor fired Celtic in front against Well — with the aid of a deflection.
But their hopes of an 18th straight win in all competitions were dashed as Van Veen levelled.
Iwata confessed: “Of course I am disappointed to only draw the match.
“Everything started from the period after we scored our first goal, because we couldn’t score another one.
“I think we made the game difficult for ourselves. We believe we are putting 100 per cent into every game.
“Our football is very attractive, I think.
“We put in 100 per cent and we just try to win the game every time.
“Against Motherwell, personally speaking, I couldn’t get involved as much as I wanted in the attacking situations during the match.
“I think I have to improve on that in the future.
“As a team, as I said before, we should have created more chances.
“Also, from the chances we did create, we should have scored.
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“That’s what I think was missing in comparison with the last few games.”
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