Yet another one of our up and coming talents appear to be close to the exit door today, if Sky Sports are to be believed. For the news has broken that bright winger, Rocco Vata, will be sold this summer transfer window.
It was first thought that Brendan Rodgers would be developing him in this year as a first team player, just as Ange Postecoglou had started in his spell at Celtic Park. However, Anthony Joseph says the club’s plans have changed and that Rocco will explore his options.
It’s got the hallmarks of Ben Doak written all over it this one, and we know how that’s panned out; the Liverpool youngster has been getting rave reviews for his contributions to the first-team down the road during pre-season. If Rocco leaves the club it will just be another in a long list of homegrown talents that have flew the nest far too soon.
Celtic v Motherwell – Rocco Vata during the Premiership match. Saturday April 22, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh
As The Celtic Star has already reported earlier this morning, Joseph has claimed that the Republic of Ireland man is looking at potential destinations for his initial foray into regular first-team football.
One of the interested parties for his services appears to be Aberdeen, whom are currently managed by ex-Celtic midfielder, Barry Robson. Robson has transformed the Dons after the failed Jim Goodwin project and they gave as good a game against us the other week as any side in red has in recent history.
He appears to have a clear way of playing and has plenty of good footballers in the team – particularly Duk and Bojan Miovski. It certainly wouldn’t be a bad place for Rocco to go and earn his spurs, all whilst Celtic watching his development from afar. Of course, it’s entirely up to the player where he sees his immediate future and only he will decide which is the best destination for himself.
Hibernian v Celtic – Rocco Vata and Hibernian s Elie Youan battle for the ball during the cinch Premiership match at Easter Road, Wednesday December 28, 2022. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie
But, if Celtic were to sell to Aberdeen, they should make sure they include a ‘first refusal’ option on any such deal, allowing us to be at the front of the queue if Rocco Vata’s game develops to the kind of level where we all think it can.
It would be a sore one to lose the player and a real coup for whatever team ends up getting the talented attacker. It’s just as real shame that we can’t hold onto our players these days and leaves a sad feeling when one of our own leaves for pastures new. Hopefully wherever the player goes, he has the right environment to achieve his full potential and can enjoy his football.
Paul Gillespie
