Rocco Vata has made his international debut- helping Ireland’s u-15 side to a 2-1 win over Poland in a friendly.
The highly rated 14-year-old has an Albanian dad and a Scottish mum but thanks to a Scottish based gran that was born in Dublin he qualifies to play for Ireland. Dad Rudi is an Albanian internationalist but explained earlier in the week that the Albanian FA hadn’t been in contact about Rocco despite the profile of his father.
In the early nineties Rudi sought political asylum after a match in France but went on to earn 62 caps after regime change in his country. Playing as a right-back or sweeper Rudi made 45 appearances for Celtic, after spells playing in Germany, Japan and Cyprus.
Rocco recently joined the Celtic Academy but doesn’t have to decide on his international status until he plays in a competitive match at full international level.
The FAI website reported:
Alex Nolan of Cabinteely and Rocco Vata of Celtic were introduced later on in the game for their international debuts but the home side managed to see out the contest to record their fourth win in four games.
Ireland: Walsh; O’Brien, Curtis, Heffernan, Cowper Gray; Ferizaj (Nolan 64), McManus (C) (Barrett 69), Murphy (Vata 64); Zefi, McLaughlin (Nugent 64), Tetteh (Whitmarsh-O’Brien 52).
