"Iwata reminds me of Barry Ferguson" - Claim dropped on star Birmingham City signed from Celtic | OneFootball

We asked our Birmingham City fan pundit if any of their current squad reminded him of a past club legend

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Tomoki Iwata has been compared to former Birmingham City midfielder Barry Ferguson after an impressive start to life at St Andrew's.

Iwata joined the Blues from Celtic on transfer deadline day in the summer, a move which went somewhat under the radar given some of the club's other business, but he's proved an excellent addition so far, and he looks a class above League One.

The Japanese international has become one of the first names on Chris Davies' teamsheet, and has scored some big goals too, an impressive strike against Bolton Wanderers being the pick of the bunch.

Being compared to Ferguson is certainly high praise, with the Scottish international spending two seasons at St Andrew's during the club's Premier League days, helping them win the League Cup in 2011.

It shows the impact that Iwata has made that he is drawing these comparisons so early in his Birmingham career, and he is well on his way to becoming a fan favourite just like Ferguson was.

Birmingham City's Tomoki Iwata compared to Barry Ferguson

We asked our Birmingham City fan pundit, Mike Gibbs, if any of the club's current players remind him of a club legend of years gone by, and Mike believes that there are comparisons between Iwata and Ferguson.

Speaking to Football League World, Mike said: "I think Iwata reminds me of Barry Ferguson.

“They’re very different in certain ways, certainly culturally, but in terms of the combativeness in the base of the midfield and the real quality on the ball and ability to move forward.

“Iwata gives us that steeliness that Barry Ferguson did, and I don’t think we ever replaced Ferguson from that Carling Cup-winning side, so yeah, that’s the one that reminds me the most.

“I was a massive Barry Ferguson fan, and I thought he added so much. He was almost that complete old school midfielder, and he wasn’t one of the quickest players, but very good on the ball, very combative and had a bit of steel to their game, quality and could turn on a sixpence, so I’d say Iwata and Barry Ferguson.”

Barry Ferguson comparisons are high praise for Tomoki Iwata

Ferguson may have only spent two seasons at St Andrew's, but he made a big impact at Birmingham City, and was one of the first names on the teamsheet under Alex McLeish.

Iwata has already scored more goals for Birmingham than Ferguson did across the course of two seasons, and while scoring goals isn't the primary job of a defensive midfielder, it's still a good trait to have.

Iwata, who was signed from Celtic, being compared to Ferguson, a Rangers legend with 408 appearances for the club may not go down too well, but they have similar attributes, and being conpared to a player with Premier League, European and vast international experience is a real compliment for Iwata.