Ben Doak appears to have been the first youngster to benefit from what has been reported to be a strategical ‘rethink’ at Celtic when it comes to agreed pathway plans to the first team for Celtic’s top youngsters.

Doak was initially included in the matchday squad for the trip to St Johnstone on Boxing Day, although with a Covid and injury hit squad, you could argue that had been through necessity.

However, when the youngster came off the bench against Dundee United with the game still goalless and in a match Celtic had to find a way to win, you look at it differently, and when the same player then gets gametime in a Glasgow Derby four days later, you do start to consider if changes in approach are happening now.

Now another youngster who has been catching the eye with the Celtic B team is also getting some public recognition. As reported by Football Scotland, Celtic B Team coach and former first team player Darren O’Dea has been singling out 16 year old Rocco Vata, son of former Celt Rudi Vata, as a player who will be worth keeping an eye on.

“I’ve known Rocco for a while, naturally I’ve been with the 18s for the last two seasons so he’s someone I know really well. He was in the school programme and is someone I’ve brought up with the 18s and played in a couple of games. The most impressive thing about him is probably his mentality, his attitude to the game.

“We had a pre-season friendly this year that didn’t go particularly well but he’s someone that has a killer attitude that never stops, he has a fantastic ability to beat people and create chances. On top of that he’s someone who has a really strong mind so he’s someone who’s very young and needs to be managed well.

“But he’s going in the right direction, it’s a case of supporting him. I’m confident to say that if he reaches his full potential which is our goal as a staff to do that, that potential could take him to the top, to be fair.”

Rocco Vata has been with the Celtic Academy since he was seven years old and the attacking midfielder who operates mainly on the wing has also represented and scored goals, spectacular ones at that for Ireland as well as Celtic.

Ben Doak may be the youngster grabbing the limelight at the moment but appears Rocco Vata could well follow his in his father’s footsteps and make the step up to first team football sooner rather than later.

Wonderful news this morning! 😍
Rocco Rudi Vata, the star🌟 of #CelticFC💚🤍, has been selected as one of the best young footballers in the world. I wish further success to him and to all the young people who make us proud! 🇦🇱 pic.twitter.com/oPYSLarWBR

— Ilir Meta (@ilirmetazyrtar) February 8, 2022

Niall J