Reo Hatate faces Celtic fitness sweat for Rangers clash as Ange ready to send Iwata into battle
The Hoops midfielder has impressed when he's got the chance in the side and is on standy with Reo Hatate facing fitness sweat.
Ange Postecoglou insists he has no fears sending the Tank on to the Hampden battlefield this weekend.
The Celtic boss is sweating on the fitness of midfield star man Reo Hatate for Sunday’s Old Firm Scottish Cup last four showdown. But Postecoglou is convinced January recruit Tomoki Iwata is ready to step up and start against Rangers. The former Yokohama F Marinos man has impressed his teammates since his arrival at the turn of the year and has looked the part whenever he’s been on the pitch.
Hoops ace Matt O’Riley described the anchorman as a tank – and he looked strong again in Saturday’s draw with Motherwell. Hatate has been out for a month with a hamstring problem and the clock is ticking for Sunday. But Postecoglou won’t hesitate to send in Iwata in the battle of the big guns. He said: “Tomoki has always been a really hard worker. He has always pushed himself on and off the field, with the extra gym work he does. I had an advantage in that I worked with him before at Yokohama F Marinos and knew what I was getting.
“I knew that he would impress the lads here at Celtic when he signed because he has a great attitude. He trains hard every day and works hard in the gym. He looks after himself on and off the field. Tomoki is a tremendous athlete and has played so many positions in his career.
“He started off as a wing-back and then turned into a central defender in a three, where he was able to bomb forward. Tomoki then played as a centre back and a No.6 in a deeper midfield role. But because of his all-round skillset, both physically and technically, I think he’s going to be one of these midfielders who is going to be really hard to handle for the opposition.
“Tomoki isn’t just one specific type of midfielder, he’s a bit of a hybrid. He can play in different areas and really contribute to the team. We eased him in and I tried to be conservative with his game-time as he came off a full Asian season. I knew that fatigue could set in earlier in the year but we eased him in.
“We did the same with Yuki Kobayashi and Oh Hyeon-gyu and now, with the remaining league games and the cup semi, I think they will be strong and really able to contribute.”
Postecoglou is not surprised Iwata has settled quickly in Scotland. He managed the midfielder when he was in Japan and after he headed to Celts he kept close tabs on his old club.
Iwata led Marinos to the title and picked up the player of the year gong in the J-League – and Postecoglou was thrilled to be able to tempt him to join his Parkhead revolution.
He said: “Tomoki arrived here off the back of a great season – winning the league and Player of the Year at Yokohama. For him to get that award is outstanding as that is not an easy accolade to get. It’s testament to his ability and his attitude to being the best he can be.
“I knew from time working with him that he wanted to test himself in Europe and thankfully, he wasn’t in too much of a hurry. We then had the chance to bring him across in January and we took it.”
Postecoglou is also sweating on Jota and Leil Abada but he’s convinced his winter signings are all primed to make their mark at Hampden.
He said: “I always say that in every window you want to come out of it stronger than you went in. I feel we have done that Alistair Johnston, Yuki, big Oh and Tomoki have all really contributed in the second half of the season in a really meaningful way. They have put in good performances and had a real impact in games, which has been pleasing for us.”
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