Celtic youngster Rocco Vata scored his maiden senior goal for the club on Sunday against Buckie Thistle. The 18-year-old came on for the final 25 minutes of the clash and caught the eye of many.
He was hungry, quick, and full of desire in his performance that saw the Hoops net their fifth of the afternoon.
Post-match, Brendan Rodgers praised the player whilst also stating he has work to do yet. Despite this, the offer of a new contract is on the table for Vata, confirmed the boss.
Whether the teenager elects to stay with the Scottish champions remains to be seen. There was previously reported interest from Italy in his services, but it seems as though the club are eager for him to stick around.
The Ireland youth international may not receive continual and regular first-team minutes at Celtic soon, but the more he develops and improves, the greater the chance Rodgers will increasingly involve him in the senior side.
To get to the next stage of his development, it seems as though a further step must be taken, however. Indeed, former Celt and now pundit John Hartson outlined what he believes to be the best circumstance for Vata: “I think the ideal situation for Rocco Vata is to go on loan”, he said (Go Radio Football Show via Glasgow Times).
“Go on loan to a club where you can play and improve.
“Then you have an opportunity to come back to Celtic, if you have really, really done well and give yourself an opportunity that you can compete in the Celtic team.
“That would be the ideal scenario for Rocco Vata.”
