One of the main highlights of Celtic’s victory over Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup ended up being Rocco Vata’s first goal for the club.
With the game already dead and buried against the plucky Highland League side, substitute Vata came off the bench to fire home his maiden strike at Parkhead in the 76th minute of proceedings.
Brendan Rodgers was clearly pleased with the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international and took to the airwaves after full-time to praise his performance.
The Irish boss stated: “It’s all about discipline for young players – doing the work, having the right attitude. It’s nice for him, to get that feeling of scoring. He’s been here since he was a kid. It was a great moment for him and his family.”
Nevertheless, Vata’s future at Celtic is anything but settled. Football Scotland report that the Hoops plan to sit down with his entourage to discuss a new contract amid interest in his services from Italian sides Bologna and Como.
His existing deal is set to expire in the summer and it remains to be seen if he will be around for the long-term in Glasgow.
Rocco Vata’s father offers assessment on his Celtic future
Rudi Vata is a name Celtic fans will be well-versed with due to his spell at the club between 1993 and 1996.
The former Hoops man is of course the father of Rocco and has seemingly offered a double-edged assessment on what could happen concerning his future at Parkhead in an interview with Irish radio station Off The Ball.
Initially, the 54-year-old seemed to hint that his son may want to leave the club, stating: “I think he’s not ready. He’s 18 still, he’s not ready mentally to move to another country. He wants to move but I don’t think he’s got it.
“I don’t think he’s ready. It’s good that I understand his emotion even when he is not happy. Because there will be times he’s not happy with the manager or the coaches but all he can do is continue to work.”
Then, former Albania international Rudi then suggested the Lennoxtown product may actually want to stay at Celtic, adding: “I think he wants to be with Celtic and I think it’s right for him to be with Celtic, to get more game time and if he gets game time I think he will produce what he’s capable of producing.
“He’s improved a lot, he’s ready to play and all he needs is to get the opportunity.”
Celtic should look to keep hold of young talent like Rocco Vata
Celtic have a lack of homegrown talent coming through the ranks and should look to safeguard their most prodigious youngsters moving forward.
Vata is undoubtedly someone who that statement should apply to in an ideal world, though his contract situation opens a can of worms concerning the wider approach to youth development at the club.
His goalscoring exploits have stretched to B team level this campaign as the starlet has registered 13 strikes in 22 outings [Transfermarkt].
Hopefully, both parties can some to a solution and Vata can extend his stay in Glasgow and kick on under the tutelage of Rodgers.
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