Rocco Vata

The video was from 3 years ago

 

He's gonna be the next Hepburn Morrison and doak isn't he he's gonna break our hearts ffs

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In fairness, that was a great finish by McCann there

 

He was making gestures after he scored the first that he is staying here. I think the bhoy is a true * and will be here and obviously hates the huns

 

He has at least signed a pro contract so even if bids were to come at some point he's at least ensured that we get a decent fee, unlike Doak.

 

Wee man’s goal from yesterday

 

Some snake been sitting on that video for years waiting on him making him debut.

 

Still haven't seen it

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Who set the goal up for him? Great work by them

 

Ben Summers mate

 

Thanks mate ill keep an eye out for his name

 

Happy to help mate

 

Good run out for the wee man tonight in his comeback from injury

 

ROCCO VATA knows the name on the back of his shirt brings expectation at Celtic but he wants a chance at the ground that earned his father his Bhoys move.

Vata was in action this week for the Ireland Under-19s as they missed out on qualification for the Uefa Championships.



His name can make some feel old — his father Rudi spent three years at Celtic in the 1990s and lifted the Scottish Cup in 1995.

The attacker, 17, admits that only fans of a certain vintage make the connection.

He said: “It’s a new age now, it’s not something that people my age say to me, ‘Oh your Dad played for Celtic’.

“Whenever I talk to people in their 20s, they don’t say, ‘Oh did your Dad play?’ I have to tell them.



“I don’t mind older people recognising me for my Dad.

"It’s something that gets a lot of recognition, all the fans want me to follow in my Dad’s footsteps.

“Hopefully it’s something I can do in future, be a regular player in the Celtic team.”

MADE HIS MARK
His father’s path to Paradise came via France, though it was a man-of-the-match performance in Albania’s 2-0 defeat to Ireland at the old Lansdowne Road in 1992 that earned him the move.



Then-Celts gaffer Liam Brady was in the crowd and liked what he saw from the Albania defender, who met his wife Anne Francis in Glasgow and settled in Scotland when he retired.



With grandmother Anne hailing from Howth, Vata Jr was eligible for Ireland, Scotland, Albania and also Montenegro.

But when the FAI called in 2019 to invite him into an Under-15 camp, he jumped at the chance and has worn green since.

His ultimate ambition is to strut his stuff at the new Lansdowne Road where his father’s life changed 31 years ago.

Midfielder Vata added: “I don’t really focus on other countries, I’m here with Ireland trying my best to win games, to score goals and push on through the ranks.




Always aim high, even at the club I want to be with the first team.

"Reserves, of course, is good, but I always aim for the highest point.

“Hopefully I can crack on and get to the Ireland first team as well, as quickly as possible.”

BREAKING THROUGH
His path to that has already begun.

On Celtic’s books since he was seven, he trains with Ange Postecoglou’s first team and made his debut against Hibernian after Christmas.

The Hoops teenager added: “I train with the first team every day and made my debut back in December




I had my experience at Celtic Park in pre-season so that was good as well for me.

“I’ve not spoken about going on loan yet. It is maybe in the plans.”

But while Vata returned to Glasgow yesterday eying up a strong finish to the season and potential Ireland Under-21 call-up for a June training camp, the Under-19s’ campaign hurt.

CAME UP SHORT
There were high hopes for Tom Mohan’s men as the promising crop reached the elite phase qualifiers.

But the team failed to take their chances and lost the opening game to Slovakia before a win over Estonia gave them a chance.




That was until a defensive error against Greece on Tuesday night meant a second defeat that secured the visitors’ qualification.

Vata added: “It’s disappointing but we weren’t clinical enough.

“We did well to get forward but when we got forward, we didn’t take our chances.

“All three games, we should have scored more goals.

"We got the win in the second game, but we should have scored more goals.

“It came down to not being clinical enough, just decision-making from a few of the lads.”