Brendan Rodgers has praised young Celtic attacking midfielder, Rocco Vata, and issued a challenge to the winger if he has designs of trying to make it into the Hoops first team.
Vata was taken to the Portugal training camp and has clearly impressed the Celtic boss. But although Vata has developed well since the last time Rodgers was at the club, the new gaffer has laid down a challenge to the young Ireland u19 international.
Rodgers said [Independant.ie], “I remember Rocco as a young player when I was here last.
“He’s developed physically. There are aspects of his game that he needs to work on to make the next jump but his attitude is good.
“He’s strong, quick, he wants to score goals. There is lots of development he needs, if he’s willing to do that.”
And I am sure Vata will be more than willing to take on that challenge. The youngster has had a taste of first-team action last season.
He was given his debut last December when he came on as a substitute in the 4-0 league win against Hibernian at Easter Road.
Since then has made three other appearances for the Hoops all in the month of April. He made substitute appearances against Ross County in Dingwall and then again in the 4-1 away win to Kilmarnock and the 1-1 draw with Motherwell at Celtic Park.
Vata did make the match-day squad in the 3-2 win over Rangers that effectively sealed the title but was an unused substitute. He also featured as Celtic appeared in the Sydney Cup last November.
The youngster is highly rated at Celtic and scored in the Glasgow Cup Final 3-3 draw against Rangers that the young Hoops eventually went on to win 4-3 on penalties.
I, and many Celtic fans, will hope to see young Vata feature at some point for the Hoops next season. We all love nothing more than seeing exciting young talent coming through to the first team and Vata certainly is that.
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