Move over Kelly: Rodgers unleash “exciting” Celtic teen after 9.9/10 display

Celtic went into the international break in first place in the Scottish Premiership after they beat St. Johnstone 3-1 in Glasgow in their last match.

The Hoops picked up all three points at Parkhead thanks to goals from Kyogo Furuhashi, James Forrest, and Nicolas Kuhn, which sent them to the top of the division after their rivals had their game postponed to a waterlogged pitch at Dundee.

Brendan Rodgers’ side need to have a strong end to the 2023/24 campaign to avoid a trophyless season, after they were knocked out of the League Cup by Kilmarnock in August and finished bottom of their Champions League group.

It appears that there’s a discussion about the performances of Celtic’s young players, particularly focusing on Rocco Vata and Daniel Kelly. Here’s a summary of the key points:

1. Rocco Vata: The 18-year-old midfielder had a phenomenal display for Ireland’s U21 team, scoring three goals and creating one chance in a 7-0 victory over San Marino. His performance earned him a remarkable Sofascore rating of 9.9/10. Vata showcased his lethal finishing and attacking prowess, demonstrating his potential to make an impact at the senior level for Celtic. The article suggests that Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers should consider giving Vata more opportunities in the first team, potentially at the expense of Daniel Kelly.

2. Daniel Kelly: While Kelly has had some first-team opportunities, his goal contributions have been limited. He has made five first-team appearances this season, with no goals or assists to his name. Despite his previous performances in lower-tier leagues and youth competitions, his lack of impact at the senior level is contrasted with Vata’s recent standout performance.

The article suggests that Vata’s exceptional performance at the international level, coupled with Kelly’s relatively quiet contributions in the first team, could warrant a change in the lineup to give Vata a chance to shine in the senior squad.

As you can see in the table above, the 18-year-old maestro has almost racked up 90 minutes of Premiership action for the Scottish giants this season, and has scored his first senior goal.

The teenage dynamo brilliantly curled the ball into the far corner from Hyun-jun Yang’s cross into the box in a 7-1 win over Dundee towards the end of February.

However, his aforementioned statistics at youth level do not suggest that the midfielder is likely to provide consistent quality as a scorer or creator of goals from the middle of the park.

Whereas, Vata’s form for Celtic B, and his exceptional performance for Ireland, shows that the potential is there for him to emerge as a lethal option for Rodgers in the final third.

Rocco Vata’s goalscoring quality

The 18-year-old talent seems to be highly regarded by talent scout Jacek Kulig, who has mentioned the youngster’s “exciting” future prospects. Despite his limited playing time in the Premiership this season, with just 11 minutes played in one appearance, Vata’s goal-scoring performances for the B team suggest that he possesses significant potential as an attacking midfielder.

Vata’s ability to find the back of the net has been evident, particularly highlighted by his first senior goal against Buckie Thistle in the SFA Cup earlier in the year. Additionally, his impressive record of 13 goals in 16 matches across the Lowland League and Challenge Cup further emphasizes his goal-scoring prowess and indicates that he could be a valuable asset for the Scottish giants in the future. Given his young age and promising performances, there is indeed a quality attacking midfielder waiting to be developed within the ranks of the club.

It sounds like the Irish youngster you’re referring to is having an exceptional season in terms of goal-scoring, with 14 goals in 24 games across academy and first-team appearances. This versatility to play across the frontline, whether as an attacking midfielder, winger, or striker, adds to his value as a player who can contribute in various attacking roles.

The comparison with Kyogo Furuhashi, who is noted as the only Celtic player with more than 11 goals for the senior side in all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign, underscores just how impressive Vata’s goal-scoring rate has been. This statistic highlights Vata’s potential impact and the importance of considering him for more significant roles within the team, given his ability to consistently find the back of the net.