Anthony Joseph has reported that talks are underway between Celtic and Rocco Vata over signing a new contract.
Most mentions of the teenager this season have suggested that he is on the brink of joining a club in Italy but it appears that over the last week there has been a change of outlook.
Last season in the Lowland League Vata played mostly on the wing, coming off the bench four times in that position for the first team under Ange Postecoglou.
With three wingers signed in the summer it wasn’t difficult to come to the conclusion that the Irish youth internationalist wouldn’t be involved in Celtic’s first team plans.
Switching to playing as a striker in the Lowland League, his third season at that level, an unexpected opportunity has opened up for Vata with Oh Hyeon-gyu and Daizen Maeda at the Asian Cup leaving Vata as the only alternative to Kyogo Furuhashi.
UPDATE: Celtic have begun contract talks for forward Rocco Vata.
It’s understood the club’s hierarchy have opened discussions with his reps at CAA Base to discuss the possibility of extending his stay in Glasgow.
He’s believed to be keen on staying, if the right pathway arises. https://t.co/2Gm9eSb27K
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) January 23, 2024
While the next three weeks look promising for Vata once the Asian Cup is over he could find his opportunities much more restricted.
If there is a willingness from all parties to get round the table a deal should be possible that gives Vata the platform to push his case towards first team football without being on the treadmill of facing up to Gretna 2008, Caledonian Braves and the rest of the clubs making up the Lowland League.
Could it be that Peter Lawwell sees young Vata as the cheaper Option for Celtic in Striker search.
Kid’s Not going to be a winger with so many already at Celtic & makes sense to Our Board’s Bankers to keep a young Prospect rather than sign a ready made Champions League player which is what we need if we have Any Ambition Not to be Humiliated Again in Europe Every Year is the Same so Why Change Sack Peter Lawwell but he’s DD’s Hatchet Man so no chance BOO
What a joke. Cheap option as always the kid backs up meada and oh . Going into Europe with those 3 plus kyogo playing deep ? Not gonna be pretty .
“Listen we need to get 3 or 4 in the door”
” power and pace.
Are we all mugs here?