‘He’s special’ – Ex-Celtic starlet tipped for huge Premier League move as he adds ANOTHER screamer to growing collection

FORMER Celtic kid Ben Doak is tearing things up in the English Championship this season. But he ISN’T the only former Hoops starlet who is making a huge impact in the division. PAThe ex-Celtic kid scored a screamer last night[/caption] GettyHe’s been in great form for Watford[/caption] ReutersHe didn’t get much of a chance at CEltic[/caption] Scotland star Doak has been catching the eye at Middlesbrough, where he’s on loan from Liverpool for the campaign. Further south, Rocco Vata is starting to make a name for himself at Watford. The 19-year old came through the youth ranks at Celtic and was prolific for the club’s B team. But he found first team opportunities hard to come by. Last season, he was restricted to just one Scottish Premiership appearance although he did come on and score in the Scottish Cup against Buckie Thistle. His future at Parkhead was in doubt for more or less the entirety of last season, with a whole host of clubs in England and across Europe credited with an interest in Vata. Celtic offered him a new deal but he decided to head for the exit door. In the end, it was Watford who won the race to sign him. The Hornets landed him for just a £200,000 compensation fee. But fans reckon he could soon net the club much, much more than that! Largely used as a substitute for the first half of the season, Vata is now a regular starter under boss Tom Cleverley. He’s beginning to catch the eye, too. Vata scored an absolute screamer against Premier League side Fulham, finding the top corner from distance with an outrageous strike. Ultimately, it was a goal in vain as Fulham won 4-1 to knock the Hornets out of the FA Cup. But it seems like Vata is beginning to strike up a knack of scoring spectacular goals and he was at it again last night! Although Watford fell to a 2-1 defeat to Preston, Vata caught the eye again with an unbelievable strike. Once again, he took aim from distance and, once again, he found the top corner. Vata might only have been at Watford a matter of months but some fans are already fearing it might not be too long before he moves on again! One Watford fan said: “Rocco Vata is a special footballer.” A second added: “Rocco Vata is something else.” A third said: “Won’t be long until Premier League clubs are looking at Rocco Vata.” Another posted: “Rocco Vata is the real deal.” A further comment read: “Rocco Vata you absolute STAR. What a goal.” Another said: “Rocco Vata, that is just unreal.” While another Watford fan posted: “Rocco Vata doing Rocco Vata things.” A couple of Celtic fans also had their say. One said: “Big mistake letting him go.” But another posted: “He rejected a contract. We move on.” Vata was born in Glasgow but has represented the Republic of Ireland from under-15 level all the way to under-21s. He’s eligible to play for Albania, through his ex-Celtic star dad Rudi, and Montenegro as well as Scotland. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

Jan 22, 2025 - 01:00
 0  6
‘He’s special’ – Ex-Celtic starlet tipped for huge Premier League move as he adds ANOTHER screamer to growing collection

FORMER Celtic kid Ben Doak is tearing things up in the English Championship this season.

But he ISN’T the only former Hoops starlet who is making a huge impact in the division.

Soccer player kicking the ball during a match.
PA
The ex-Celtic kid scored a screamer last night[/caption]
Rocco Vata of Watford playing soccer.
Getty
He’s been in great form for Watford[/caption]
Celtic players celebrating a goal.
Reuters
He didn’t get much of a chance at CEltic[/caption]

Scotland star Doak has been catching the eye at Middlesbrough, where he’s on loan from Liverpool for the campaign.

Further south, Rocco Vata is starting to make a name for himself at Watford.

The 19-year old came through the youth ranks at Celtic and was prolific for the club’s B team.

But he found first team opportunities hard to come by.

Last season, he was restricted to just one Scottish Premiership appearance although he did come on and score in the Scottish Cup against Buckie Thistle.

His future at Parkhead was in doubt for more or less the entirety of last season, with a whole host of clubs in England and across Europe credited with an interest in Vata.

Celtic offered him a new deal but he decided to head for the exit door.

In the end, it was Watford who won the race to sign him.

The Hornets landed him for just a £200,000 compensation fee.

But fans reckon he could soon net the club much, much more than that!

Largely used as a substitute for the first half of the season, Vata is now a regular starter under boss Tom Cleverley.

He’s beginning to catch the eye, too.

Vata scored an absolute screamer against Premier League side Fulham, finding the top corner from distance with an outrageous strike.

Ultimately, it was a goal in vain as Fulham won 4-1 to knock the Hornets out of the FA Cup.

But it seems like Vata is beginning to strike up a knack of scoring spectacular goals and he was at it again last night!

Although Watford fell to a 2-1 defeat to Preston, Vata caught the eye again with an unbelievable strike.

Once again, he took aim from distance and, once again, he found the top corner.

Vata might only have been at Watford a matter of months but some fans are already fearing it might not be too long before he moves on again!

One Watford fan said: “Rocco Vata is a special footballer.”

A second added: “Rocco Vata is something else.”

A third said: “Won’t be long until Premier League clubs are looking at Rocco Vata.”

Another posted: “Rocco Vata is the real deal.”

A further comment read: “Rocco Vata you absolute STAR. What a goal.”

Another said: “Rocco Vata, that is just unreal.”

While another Watford fan posted: “Rocco Vata doing Rocco Vata things.”

A couple of Celtic fans also had their say.

One said: “Big mistake letting him go.”

But another posted: “He rejected a contract. We move on.”

Vata was born in Glasgow but has represented the Republic of Ireland from under-15 level all the way to under-21s.

He’s eligible to play for Albania, through his ex-Celtic star dad Rudi, and Montenegro as well as Scotland.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page