It’s right for him to be at Celtic- Rudi Vata speaks out on Rocco’s future

Rudi Vata has spoken glowingly of his son Rocco’s opportunity at Celtic.

Just a week or so ago it seemed that it was only a matter of naming his next club with the teenager out of contract in the summer and various Italian clubs showing interest in taking him abroad.

Last season, playing mostly as a winger, Vata made four appearances off the bench but with three wingers signed during the summer and doubt over his medium term future he has had to content himself with playing in the Lowland League.

Playing under Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea, Vata has been used as a striker this season with Celtic suddenly caught short due to Oh Hyeon-gyu and Daizen Maeda being involved in the Asian Cup.

Unexpectedly involved against Buckie Thistle on Sunday, Vata came off the bench to score his first top team goal with a fresh opportunity opened up for as long as Japan and South Korea are involved out in Qatar.

I think he wants to be with Celtic, and I think it’s right for him to be at Celtic to get more game time. If he gets that game time, I think he will produce what he’s capable of producing.

He’s improved a lot, he is ready to play, all he needs to do now is get that opportunity. After that who knows.

The supply of home grown players at Celtic has started to thin out, restricting options for UEFA competitions.

If Vata can be integrated into the first team squad and signed up onto a new contract it would provide multiple benefits, and the chance to surpass his Dad’s records as a Celtic player.