Ex-Celtic star spotted back at Parkhead less than a year after making exit from Hoops
He's enjoyed a solid first season away from Celtic Park and has made his international debut
VAT'S A BHOY Ex-Celtic star spotted back at Parkhead less than a year after making exit from Hoops
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CELTIC bid farewell to a whole host of players last summer ahead of the current season.
But one of those now former Hoops stars has been spotted back at Parkhead less than a year on.
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Rocco Vata in action for Watford
Credit: Alamy
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Brendan Rodgers had wanted to keep Vata at Celtic
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Vata received a league winners' medal last season
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
Matt O'Riley, Joe Hart, Oh Hyeon-gu and Mikey Johnston were among the high-profile players to leave Celtic last summer.
Another player who moved on was Rocco Vata.
The highly-rated forward had made a handful of first team appearances over the previous couple of seasons, netting his first Celts goal in the Scottish Cup win over Buckie Thistle last January.
The Hoops and boss Brendan Rodgers were keen to sign Vata, who's only just turned 20, to a new contract but talks stalled.
In the end, there was no agreement to be found and Vata, son of ex-Celt Rudi, moved on.
He joined Watford last July with the Hoops receiving just a £237,000 compensation fee for the highly-rated starlet.
Vata went on to enjoy a successful first year with the English Championship club.
Finding the regular first team football he desired, Vata netted four goals in 37 games across all competitions.
That included a stunning strike in the FA Cup against Premier League opposition in Fulham last January.
A Republic of Ireland youth international during his time with Celtic, Vata earned his first senior call-up in March this year and made his debut.
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Watford's season ended last weekend and they failed to reach the play-offs despite being in contention for much of the season.
With the Scottish Premiership season still having a little bit to go, Vata decided to head back north and watch the club he'd represented from the age of seven.
He was in the crowd as Celtic came from behind to beat Hibs 3-1 at Parkhead.
Vata took to Instagram with a picture showing he was inside the stadium.
The next time Celtic play at home will be the final game of the league season next Saturday.
The occasion will see Callum McGregor lift the Scottish Premiership trophy for the fourth consecutive year.
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Vata was in the crowd at Celtic Park on Saturday
Credit: INSTAGRAM
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