Celtic youngster Rocco Vata scored his first senior goal for the club on Sunday afternoon in a dominative 5-0 rout of Buckie Thistle. The 18-year-old made a hugely positive cameo in which he caught the eye of many.
Vata directly replaced Kyogo with just over 25 minutes remaining on the clock. Up top, the Irishman was hungry, quick, and powerful as he bagged his first senior goal in football.
After it, his manager Brendan Rodgers praised him, but also admitted he still has a wealth of work to do.
There is vast speculation currently ongoing regarding the future of Vata. There were reports of interest from Italy although after the Buckie game, Rodgers confirmed that the teenager does have the offer of a new contract from Celtic on the table. Whether he will elect to stay with the club remains to be seen.
It is a debacle that has raged on for a while, and supporters want clarity and an end to it. The decision seems to be Vata’s, but former Hoops manager Neil Lennon wants him to stay.
Speaking live on air on Viaplay, the boss who secured Celtic their second nine-in-a-row and the quadruple treble admitted the 18-year-old would be a loss if he departs, but that he should stay: “There’s been a little bit of speculation about him leaving”, he said.
“He’d be a loss because he’s a very talented boy and that’s a great way to get his career off with a goal there.
“There’s a big decision to be made but I really hope he stays for his own good.”
