By Alan Hutton

26th Oct, 2023 | 8:00am

Hutton hails 'outstanding' Tomoki Iwata as Celtic footage emerges

Celtic fans can expect to see more of Tomoki Iwata after his stunning goal against Hearts on Sunday (22 October).

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Rangers defender Alan Hutton was hugely impressed with Iwata’s performance off the bench against Hearts and suggested he will now be on a mission to break into the first team.

The 26-year-old made his second league appearance of the season at the weekend after being an unused substitute in the majority of Celtic’s Premiership fixtures this season.

As shown on Sky Sports (23 October), Iwata fired home with a rocket of a shot when striker Hyeon-gyu’s failed strikes landed in his path.

Marking the fourth goal in the 4-1 win, the strike was also Iwata’s first goal in over a year and his first in green and white.

But with several midfielders in front of him in the pecking order, Hutton insisted it will be difficult for Iwata to get as many minutes as he would want.

“He has been that versatile player who has fitted in in different positions,” he told Football Insider.

“He has played at centre-half and here, there and everywhere. I think he will want to play in his own position and try and lock that down.

“It is going to be difficult in a Celtic side that is very settled with the odd injury here and there.

“It was an outstanding finish. The bar, the post and then up into the roof of the net, Oh was obviously desperate to get a goal there as well.

“Iwata has obviously got that quality, you can see his physique and how he can handle the physicality. He has definitely got ability but it is going to be hard on him to try and break into the team.“

In other news, major update on Celtic signing Real Madrid star.