Callum McGregor is hoping that Rocco Vata can soon be back in action, pushing for a Celtic first team place.
The young winger made a 10 minute appearance away to Hibs at the end of December but his progress stalled on January 18 when he suffered an ankle injury after scoring twice against Wolves in the EPL International Cup.
Vata doesn’t turn 18 until April which puts him well ahead of McGregor who was 21 when he made a scoring debut for Celtic in Iceland.
The Celtic skipper takes a keen interest in all areas of the club, discussing Vata he told the Daily Record:
He’s hurt his ankle at the minute but he’s showing really good promise in the academy. He’s scored a few goals for the B team, which is great. That’s what we want, to be pushing as many academy products on as we can, trying to expose them to the first team as much as we can as well and getting them to that level where they can step into the team.
Rocco has been around the first team since pre-season and he’s done great so hopefully he can recover from his injury. It’s great to see the guys coming, pushing and training with the first team. If we can try and get as many academy products through into the first team, I believe it gives the club a great base moving forward.
Vata’s direct wing play has been a stand out feature of Celtic’s matches in the Lowland League, even as a 16-year-old he had the physique to take on and out-muscle opponents more than 10 years older.
Ange Postecoglou is overflowing with winger options in his first team squad but has dropped a few hints that bringing through players from the B team is among his plans.