New hope that Celtic could retain Rocco Vata after all

Could Rocco Vata be staying after all? A new Celtic deal and a loan move in January now a real possibility…

Reports yesterday suggested that outgoing youngster Rocco Vata could well be staying put at Celtic. The Irish youth international looked to have played his last game for the club and was set to move abroad, with Italy the most likely destination.

He’s currently reported to be in talks with two Italian sides Bologna and Como. But according to reporter Anthony Joseph, while Celtic are open to offers for the promising youngster they would also like to open talks about extending his stay beyond the summer.

Celtic v Motherwell – Rocco Vata during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday April 22, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh

If true that would be quite the turnaround as Rocco has looked likely to leave for many months now. And you have to wonder why Celtic have waited until the closing weeks of the January transfer window to consider offering Vata – a player who has been at Celtic for a decade – a new contract?

Rocco is an exciting talent that’s for sure, but he has found first team football hard to come by under both Ange Postecoglou and especially Brendan Rodgers, who has not been able to give youth much of a chance in his first six months back at the club as he’s inherited an overcrowded first team squad and has been trying to deal with that issue first.

If Rocco were to pen another deal with the club I would imagine certain terms would have to be met, not only financially, but a promise of a route to first team football. Celtic have just added another winger in Nicolas Kuhn while Liel Abada is fit again after missing most of the first half of the season.

28th December 2022 Easter Road, Scottish Premiership Football, Hibernian versus Celtic Rocco Vata on the ball Photo ActionPlus Vagelis Georgariou

Mikey Johnston is looking for game time, then there’s Daizen Maeda and Luis Palma, the two first pick players for the wide positions so far this season, and obviously James Forrest, at the veteran stage but still in the manager’s plans. Yang and Marco Tilio, like Daizen are away at the Asian Cup at the moment so when they are all back, Brendan Rodgers has plenty of wingers at his disposal.

A few may go out on loan in this window with Tilio, Johnston and Rocco Vata himself (if a new deal is signed) the likely candidates for this.

Rocco might yet leave, but if the club do offer a new deal that Rocco signs that would be welcoming news indeed.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

UPDATE: Celtic are planning new contract talks with forward Rocco Vata.

His current deal expires in the summer and he’s in talks with Bologna & Como.

The Hoops remain open to offers but would like to open talks about the possibility of extending his stay beyond the summer. https://t.co/p4zCpGrZJJ pic.twitter.com/7wQrnc0uLv

— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) January 19, 2024