But whether the Japan international can become a regular in a midfield soon to be packed with Hoops poster boys again remains the big question. Iwata has started the last five games in what’s been his most sustained run of action since Rodgers replaced Ange Postecolglou at the helm last summer. Saturday’s 3-1 win over St Johnstone that saw Celtic return to the top of the table was his 18th appearance of the campaign.
Even if he’s not starting games though, Iwata will continue to play an important role with his all-round ability in a ferocious title battle. Rodgers said: “With any player, it’s about getting a run in the team. He’s come in and done well in games when we have either moved Callum up or he hasn’t been available.
"Not everyone can be a starter all the time. There are a number of players who do that. But in terms of the impact he has made, I’ve been really pleased because he has struggled with bits of injury on and off this season. He would have played more games if he had been fit. Rodgers has been delighted with the 24-year-old Ireland international’s progress in the Championship, even if the pressure in the West Midlands doesn’t match that in the east end of Glasgow. And revealed he put the brakes on a loan move earlier in the season.
“He was able to do that then he featured in some games for us and once he trained and featured it was then about getting him game time. He has gone and done fantastic and shown the talent everyone knows he has. Hopefully he continues with that and then we can look at it again in the summer.”
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