Every youth coach loves to see a player that they’ve worked with making their mark at the top level. A debut, a goal, landmarks to remember.
Winning matches and trophies is welcome but the true satisfaction for any coach is when a kid that you’ve worked with reaches the big stage and makes an impact.
Around 20 years ago Darren O’Dea was that player, today he was feeling the satisfaction of a coach with Rocco Vata scoring for Celtic in the 5-0 win over Buckie Thistle.
The interesting phrase however was senior. Not his first Celtic goal but his first senior goal, a close range shot from a Mikey Johnston cut-back but the art was in the run into the goalmouth anticipating the ball from fellow sub and Irish internationalist Johnston.
First Senior goal of many ? https://t.co/TfdamFLuML
— Darren O’Dea (@odea_darren) January 21, 2024
Today was Vata’s first taste of top team action. Last season he came off the bench five times but with no new contract signed he hasn’t been involved at senior level or loaned out like many of his team-mates.
Hopefully today’s goal is the first of many, at senior level but more importantly for Celtic, the club his Dad played for in the early nineties.
Daniel Kelly made his senior debut today, replacing Odin Thiago Holm in the 72nd minute.
For celtic? Or will he be away ?
— Declan Robb? (@DeclanRobb) January 21, 2024
The lad has to be patient, hone his craft and take any opportunity presented. It’s sad to see exciting prospects lured into obscurity by the flash of fast cash.
Another example of…WTF is going on ?
We seem to attract long running sagas when it comes to transfers and contracts….and here’s another classic example.
Last week …not one of us would have said he was staying…it was on the cards he was off.
Now this…??
Come on ffs Celtic…get your act together.