Rocco Vata M Watford b.2005

[tetsujin1979]

This interview with his Exeter coach clarifies it - https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45479077

Ampadu did play two games for England Under-16s in August, 2015 against United States, as he pondered his international options.

He had also been involved in Wales and England junior development since an early age, eventually settling on a future for the land of his mother.
So it was more that his mind was made up to play for Wales, rather than the Welsh FA prising him from England

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

This interview with his Exeter coach clarifies it - https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45479077

So it was more that his mind was made up to play for Wales, rather than the Welsh FA prising him from England

I didn't say anything about prising him away from anyone. It's more about holding onto him, like Ampadu for Wales. They brought him onboard before agents or anyone at Chelsea tried to convince him of the England route.

But Ampadu was just an example in this case as they're in a similar dilemma at the same age. I would be going after others who qualify but are with other teams now. Throw everything at them, bring them on trips to Connemara, give them their first pint, teach them about Fenian history and call them up to the top squad and send them to war.

BOOMSHAKALAKA!!!!

[SkStu]

OK. I’m convinced. :)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmzrbL1otao/?igshid=NTdlMDg3MTY=

Watch Vata’s reaction to McCann’s own goal in the B derby yesterday. McCann who recently switched from FAI to IFA…

[tommy_c12000]

Hopefully he matures a bit, that’s a bit pathetic and a very Grealish thing to do…

[backstothewall]

Our next game is a daft friendly against Latvia. If we don't use that to bring in new players, what's the point of the game?

We have a player here who is seemingly regarded by Europe's elite clubs as a genuine prospect. He's not played much senior football but so what? Norman Whiteside had played twice for Man United when Billy Bingham took him to the World Cup.

It may be that we play him against Latvia and learn that he's not ready yet. Or maybe he'll light up Lansdowne Road and end up in the team for the France match on the back of his performance. It's very easy to say he's not ready yet, but nobody can say for sure. The brave thing to do is let him have a run at the Latvians and find out.

We know everything there is to know about Conor Hourihane. He's a good passer, he's great at set pieces, but he's a bit lightweight and can drift out of games at times.

[nigel-harps1954]

Which of Europe's elite clubs regard Vata as a genuine prospect?

Forgive me if I missed those articles, but I've not seen anything to suggest that.

[Olé Olé]

Which of Europe's elite clubs regard Vata as a genuine prospect?

Forgive me if I missed those articles, but I've not seen anything to suggest that.

https://m.milannews.it/calciomercato-milan/tmw-celtic-esordio-per-vata-anche-il-milan-tra-i-tanti-osservatori-presenti-477452

Impossible to know how genuine these kind of articles are. Similar reports earlier this season too.

[elatedscum]

Just looking at 2005, would that even put him ahead of the likes of Zefi and Heffernan who are already at those kinda clubs. Meanwhile Ferizaj linked with City among a host of clubs once he turns 18 and Curtis linked with Chelsea and City. Plus you’ve also got Mark O’Mahony who’s scored 14 goals across 16 games internationally across the last 15 months.

There’s a handful of players every year who have that elite potential, those are the 6 obvious ones. (Vata, Zefi, Heffernan, Curtis, Ferizaj, O’Mahony). By comparison, 2002 would be (Bazunu, Omobamidele, Hodge, Parrott, Ebosele and maybe Okoflex or Cannon)

But for the 2005 players, it’s still a long long way to go before

There’s another dozen lads who are in the tier below, who with a good season could propel themselves into someone to be excited about: guys like O’Brien-Whitmarsh who’s had a terrible time with injuries, Caden McLoughlin who was the star at u15 and u16 level but lost his place to O’Mahony at u17 level. Franco Umeh, incredibly raw, but potential is there etc etc etc

Maybe Vata is gonna be world class but he’s got a lot of development still to do and unless the development in the last 2 months is phenomenal, he’s currently a mile behind Knight, Smallbone, Ronan, Mandriou, Sykes, Noss.

I’d have no issue with him being with the 19s who are playing in the elite phase or the 21s who are set to have the first meet up of the new squad.

[Jd2793]

Hopefully he matures a bit, that’s a bit pathetic and a very Grealish thing to do…

meh mccann gave it plenty when they scored , if you arent prepared to take it dont give it.

[Jd2793]

Just looking at 2005, would that even put him ahead of the likes of Zefi and Heffernan who are already at those kinda clubs. Meanwhile Ferizaj linked with City among a host of clubs once he turns 18 and Curtis linked with Chelsea and City. Plus you’ve also got Mark O’Mahony who’s scored 14 goals across 16 games internationally across the last 15 months.

There’s a handful of players every year who have that elite potential, those are the 6 obvious ones. (Vata, Zefi, Heffernan, Curtis, Ferizaj, O’Mahony). By comparison, 2002 would be (Bazunu, Omobamidele, Hodge, Parrott, Ebosele and maybe Okoflex or Cannon)

But for the 2005 players, it’s still a long long way to go before

There’s another dozen lads who are in the tier below, who with a good season could propel themselves into someone to be excited about: guys like O’Brien-Whitmarsh who’s had a terrible time with injuries, Caden McLoughlin who was the star at u15 and u16 level but lost his place to O’Mahony at u17 level. Franco Umeh, incredibly raw, but potential is there etc etc etc

Maybe Vata is gonna be world class but he’s got a lot of development still to do and unless the development in the last 2 months is phenomenal, he’s currently a mile behind Knight, Smallbone, Ronan, Mandriou, Sykes, Noss.

I’d have no issue with him being with the 19s who are playing in the elite phase or the 21s who are set to have the first meet up of the new squad.


yeah interesting age group alright whitmarsh was linked with PL clubs at 16 so he must have something, youd pray the knee injuries havent knocked him back. i'd love if we played omahony and umeh more this season but i cant see it. they'll likely leave in the summer id imagine once exams are done. healy didnt really give either of them a lot of game time in a terrible first division last year so cant see them geting much this time out when stakes are higher.
on curtis, i think hes a much brighter prospect than heffernan. honestly stood out a lot more playing for ireland when i saw him (before pats played him). heffernan does have the height though and if he grows into the frame they could drill all the football into him. curtis just looks the business , i hate hyping these kids up but i really think he has it all to be an international in the next few years.

[tetsujin1979]

meh mccann gave it plenty when they scored , if you arent prepared to take it dont give it.
Rugby is having a bad influence on these players
https://i1.wp.com/rugbylad.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/rogsexton.jpg

[backstothewall]

Which of Europe's elite clubs regard Vata as a genuine prospect?

Forgive me if I missed those articles, but I've not seen anything to suggest that.

There are a number of articles, tellingly a number of them in Italian, but take your pick of the clubs allegedly looking at him.

https://www.footballfancast.com/celtic-transfer-rumours/celtic-parkhead-vata-juranovic-postecoglou-transfer

[elatedscum]

Vata doesn’t make the squad for the old firm

[tetsujin1979]

Give it a rest CSAD, you were asked for evidence, now produce it.

[dahamsta]

CSAD posts binned.

You have 8 infractions on Foot.ie. There won't be a 9th.

[CSAD]

Why were they binned?

[dahamsta]

You know why they were binned. I can skip waiting for the next rule-break if you wish, I'm totally ok with that, are you ready to go now? It seems inevitable really. Or you could just start treating people with respect and stop being rude and ignorant, because it makes you feel big and strong?

[JR89]

Makes the bench for Celtics game away to Ross County.

[Razors left peg]

Got couple mins at end too

[JR89]

Actually came on in the 68th minute today in the 4-1 win. Celtic were 4-0 up after the 28th minute.

[seanfhear]

Actually came on in the 68th minute today in the 4-1 win. Celtic were 4-0 up after the 28th minute.Away from home. It's becoming even more a non competition. Just look what you can do with Celtic or Rangers with a good manager and even a half decent team.

[tetsujin1979]

Celtic posted this slideshow of Vata's progress through Celtic's Academy setup
1647957531007012864

[Stuttgart88]

Rocco came on as a sub against Motherwell on Saturday and was very good according to the BBC Scotland radio commentary I listened to. He put in a great cross from the right that Oh should have scored from. The commentary team called him "highly impressive" and said he had a great knack of just shifting the ball into a half metre of space and whipping in a good ball, rather than relying on getting past his opponent to make space before sending in a cross. This is what he did away at Kilmarnock last week too. Very encouraging stuff from a kid this age.

[Razors left peg]

Rocco came on as a sub against Motherwell on Saturday and was very good according to the BBC Scotland radio commentary I listened to. He put in a great cross from the right that Oh should have scored from. The commentary team called him "highly impressive" and said he had a great knack of just shifting the ball into a half metre of space and whipping in a good ball, rather than relying on getting past his opponent to make space before sending in a cross. This is what he did away at Kilmarnock last week too. Very encouraging stuff from a kid this age.


Wait, wait, wait.... I thought Celtic don't play young players and destroy every prospect that goes there.

[nigel-harps1954]

Wait, wait, wait.... I thought Celtic don't play young players and destroy every prospect that goes there.

One swallow does not make a summer. He's played 40 minutes total for Celtic in the SPL.

[Razors left peg]

One swallow does not make a summer. He's played 40 minutes total for Celtic in the SPL.

No, Nigel but if hes good enough he'll kick on. You have to make the most of the chances given to you and it seems hes doing that. I've always made the point that you have to exceptional to make the breakthrough there and I dont see a long list of players who failed there and went on to be excellent somewhere else at a high level.

[SkStu]

It is the place where Irish talent goes to die. #justiceforluca

He qualifies for 4 other nations and his dad was a club legend. We'll see how it all lands. ;)

[Razors left peg]

He qualifies for 4 other nations and his dad was a club legend. We'll see how it all lands. ;)

His mother is always on the Eire Guide Facebook page and adamant hes Irish

[SkStu]

well aware...Grealish's dad used to say similar stuff if i recall correctly. I'm not saying he wont tog out for us but I think we've learned enough not to entirely pin our hopes on comments from the parents - jesus, we can't even rely on 3 senior caps before we can stop panicking LOL.

[Razors left peg]

well aware...Grealish's dad used to say similar stuff if i recall correctly. I'm not saying he wont tog out for us but I think we've learned enough not to entirely pin our hopes on comments from the parents - jesus, we can't even rely on 3 senior caps before we can stop panicking LOL.

We cant fear a Rice/ Grealish situation with everyone. I think we learned as an association after those and communication is much better with the players these days. I still blame O'Neills lack of communication for the other 2

[SkStu]

No appearances for Celtic at all I think since they were proclaimed champions. Anyone know why? Thought he’d have gotten a few appearances for sure but doesn’t seem to even be on the bench lately. Is he injured?

[JR89]

Injured apparently and interesting that he hasn't signed a new contract yet which expires in 12 months unless Celtic have the option of extending it by a year.

[tetsujin1979]

Scored Celtic B's only goal in a 3-1 loss to East Kilbride in the Scottish Challenge Cup yesterday
Goal here at 2:33
qquTJ_V_i5E
Sort of interesting that he's wearing number 9

[JR89]

Looks to be on his way out of Celtic.

1692480984606810535

[tommy_c12000]

Would be great for his prospects of making it as a footballer if he escapes that hell hole for youth. There’s simply no plausible development pathway at Celtic

[SkStu]

Scored for Celtic B tonight against East Kilbride in the Lowland League.

[pineapple stu]

Scores his first senior goal - kind of - tonight.

Against non-league Buckie Thistle in the Cup. They play at the same level as Celtic's reserves (though Celtic are Lowland league and Buckie are Highland)

[Eirambler]

Thought Rodgers comments after the game were telling in terms of how Celtic view youth development. Basically saying he doesn't need Vata playing for the first team until he's 20 or 21, and if he feels he should be playing first team football sooner than that he should just leave.

And then they wonder why their youth players never amount to anything any more, they expect them to just turn up ready for first team football at 21, having only played in the Lowland League up to that point.

I honestly think that Evan Ferguson might be playing Lowland League football today if he'd picked Celtic instead of Brighton. With Rodgers in press conferences saying that he sees potential in him but he's still a few years away from the first team.

[samhaydenjr]

Thought Rodgers comments after the game were telling in terms of how Celtic view youth development. Basically saying he doesn't need Vata playing for the first team until he's 20 or 21, and if he feels he should be playing first team football sooner than that he should just leave.

And then they wonder why their youth players never amount to anything any more, they expect them to just turn up ready for first team football at 21, having only played in the Lowland League up to that point.

I honestly think that Evan Ferguson might be playing Lowland League football today if he'd picked Celtic instead of Brighton. With Rodgers in press conferences saying that he sees potential in him but he's still a few years away from the first team.

It's kind of a strange attitude/policy, when you think about it. With the amount of games Celtic play where they have the points wrapped up by the final quarter, you'd think they'd have plenty opportunities to give young players a chance to prove themselves

[Stuttgart88]

With the amount of games Celtic play where they have the points wrapped up by the final quarter,You haven't seen Celtic much this season then :)

[weldoninhio]

Would be great for his prospects of making it as a footballer if he escapes that hell hole for youth. There’s simply no plausible development pathway at Celtic

Why does he only have 1 U21 cap if he's good enough to be playing senior first team football for Celtic?? Is Ireland underage a hell hole for youth?

[seanfhear]

If he is good enough ~ Wealthier clubs than Celtic will tempt him away.

[weldoninhio]

If he is good enough ~ Wealthier clubs than Celtic will tempt him away.

If he's good enough, why the lack of U21 caps??

[tetsujin1979]

Rudi Vata on Rocco's international future - it's his decision
1749761395032559710

[Eirambler]

Why does he only have 1 U21 cap if he's good enough to be playing senior first team football for Celtic?? Is Ireland underage a hell hole for youth?

Because there are very few under 21 games relative to club games and he's up against two older players in Armstrong (a senior cap) and Emakhu who are getting decent first team minutes at their clubs, unlike Vata. Having said that, Crawford picking Johnny Kenny over him has just been a poor management call.

[Stuttgart88]

BBC Scottisg Gossip section today:

Celtic winger Rocco Vata, who is out of contract this summer, will turn his back on offers from Serie A clubs to sign a new deal, with father Rudi, the former Celtic full-back, confident there will be a "positive outcome" to talks about the 18-year-old's future. (Scottish Sun)

Celtic have begun contract talks with winger Rocco Vata's representatives and the 18-year-old Republic of Ireland Under-21 international is keen to extend his stay beyond the summer despite holding talks with Bologna and Como this month. (Sky Sports)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68070957

[Jolly Red Giant]

BBC Scottisg Gossip section today:

Celtic winger Rocco Vata, who is out of contract this summer, will turn his back on offers from Serie A clubs to sign a new deal, with father Rudi, the former Celtic full-back, confident there will be a "positive outcome" to talks about the 18-year-old's future. (Scottish Sun)

Celtic have begun contract talks with winger Rocco Vata's representatives and the 18-year-old Republic of Ireland Under-21 international is keen to extend his stay beyond the summer despite holding talks with Bologna and Como this month. (Sky Sports)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68070957
I think if he is to stay at Celtic his agent (is it his dad) should probably include a clause about going out on loan to get first team football.

[Demesne Lad]

According to 'The Athletic' (whose story is being repeated elsewhere) Watford are interested in young Vata.

https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/rocco-vata-celtic-contract-offer-28767816

[zero]

According to 'The Athletic' (whose story is being repeated elsewhere) Watford are interested in young Vata.

https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/rocco-vata-celtic-contract-offer-28767816

no offence to the guy but if that's the type of club going for him i wouldn't hold out too much hope of him making it at the top level.

[Buckett]

He's 18!