Aaron Mooy facing Celtic axe after what expert has spotted
Frank McAvennie has backed Tomoki Iwata to replace Aaron Mooy in the starting lineup at Celtic.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Hoops striker said Iwata is “ready to flourish” in the team.
The 26-year-old has made six league appearances for Ange Postecoglou’s side since his arrival in January and earned his first league start in the 2-0 win over Ross County last week (2 April).
Aaron Mooy and Reo Hatate have been hugely impressive in recent weeks and have been Postecoglou’s preferred pair in the middle alongside Callum McGregor.
Iwata filled in at Ross County with neither Mooy or Hatate fit enough to make the bench.
The former J-League player joined the Parkhead club in January off the back of a full season in the Japanese top flight, the same as Daizen Maeda and Hatate.
As quoted by footballscotland (2 April), Postecoglou praised Iwata in his first start and said they will see the best from him once has had a full pre-season under his belt.
McAvennie insisted Iwata is ready for his place in the starting lineup.
“I think the manager is doing well, bringing him in and out but I think he is ready to flourish now,” he told Football Insider.
“As the manager said, there is more to come from him. He uses both feet, sprays the ball all over the place.
“He is different from Hatate, where Hatate runs forward Iwata just sits and lets McGregor be in his normal position. I would love to see Iwata, Hatae and McGregor in the middle moving forward.“
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