What does the future hold for Rocco Vata?…
Rocco Vata of Celtic celebrates after he scores his team’s fifth goal during the the Celtic v Buckie Thistle – Scottish Cup match at Celtic Park on January 21, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
A first senior appearance for Celtic this season accompanied by a first senior goal in the Hoops has given many fans hope Rocco Vata will commit his future to the club in the near future.
An appearance in a match-day squad has been a long time coming for Vata this season, with the 18-year-old in brilliant form for the Celtic B team. Scoring 12 goals in 15 games in the Lowland League, Vata has been the most prolific player in the B team, starring alongside Daniel Kelly and Mitchel Frame in what has been a disappointing season for the young Hoops so far, with Stephen McManus’ and Darren O’Dea’s side sitting eight in the table.
Stuart Knight of Buckie Thistle saves from Rocco Vata during the Celtic v Buckie Thistle – Scottish Cup match at Celtic Park on January 21, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Rocco Vata was expected to leave the club this month after failing to feature in a single match-day squad since Brendan Rodgers joined the club (prior to last weekend), with no contract reported to have been offered to the player.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed fears of a departure from the club for Vata last week, with Como reportedly contacting Celtic over the player, and fellow Italian side Bologna also understood to be interested in the Irish u21 international.
However, Celtic’s stance on Vata’s situation seems to have changed over the last couple of days, with Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports reporting last Friday that the club are planning new contract talks with the Irishman.
Joseph also reported that the club remain open to offers, but intend to open talks about the possibility of extending his stay beyond the summer.
With a first appearance in a Brendan Rodgers match-day squad, along with a first senior goal, the tide around Vata seems to be changing.
A maiden place in the Celtic squad this season should be the minimum for Vata going forward, if the club wish for the player to commit his future in the East End of Glasgow. Rocco has been at Celtic since he was an 8 year-old and his lifetime ambition has always been to play for Celtic.
While it looked like that his Celtic dream was fading there’s now a chance of a fairytale just about to begin.
James French