Latest news with #RoccoVata
Daily Record
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rocco Vata makes surprise Celtic Park return as Brendan Rodgers asks the media 'was I wrong?'
Rocco Vata makes surprise Celtic Park return as Brendan Rodgers asks the media 'was I wrong?' – Parkhead bulletin Vata's season with Watford is finished and he wasted no time in getting back up the road Rocco Vata in action for Watford (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images ) Rocco Vata made a surprise return to the Celtic fold – as a punter to take in yesterday's win over Hibs. The 20-year-old left the Hoops last summer to forge his own path down south and after a settling-in period at Watford, he established himself as an important player in the second half of the season. Vata started seven of their final eight matches and racked up eight goal-involvements across 37 appearances – one for every 212 minutes he was on the pitch. But now Watford's season is wrapped up with no playoff involvement at either end, he wasted no time in getting back up the road to watch Brendan Rodgers' team in action. He shared a snap on Instagram from the Parkhead stands as Celtic battled their way to a 3-1 victory over Hibs. Article continues below Rodgers went full strength for the clash with Hibs with Kasper Schmeichel back from injury and all of the other big time stars in place. There could be some tweaks for Pittodrie in midweek – with the sides set to meet again in the Scottish Cup Final. But, when asked about his shuffle talk going in, the Hoops smiled: 'Are you trying to say I was wrong? No, it's just, you're obviously looking at recovery periods and looking at the Scottish Cup final and trying to work your way back. 'Plus, we played a week ago, so no, I didn't see the need to do that. But I've already named the team for Aberdeen to the guys, they know the team for Wednesday. 'Viljami Sinisalo will play. It was just for Kasper to get the feeling again. He's been out for a long time, but I think that him being out, the positive is that having the chance to see Vil now and his authority, you see the calmness of him for such a young goalkeeper. 'We've really, really gained from that. But with Kasper, I know in football there's short memories, but not with me. 'He's been brilliant for me all season, and it's just nice to get him that feel, see how he reacts with his shoulder over the course of the week, and then we can look at it next week.' Rodgers was also thrilled to give teenager Sean McArdle a late taste. He said: 'It was to give him that feel. I like him. He's got decent legs, a nice football brain, he's got culture when he plays. It gives him a little reward for the good work that he's done. Article continues below 'Now he's got to continue learning and see what comes from it.'
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
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 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 4 Rocco Vata in action for Watford Credit: Alamy 4 Brendan Rodgers had wanted to keep Vata at Celtic Credit: Kenny Ramsay 4 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. Celebrity Wrexham owner spotted in retro Celtic strip as he asks 'are they Catholics or Protestants' 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. 4 Vata was in the crowd at Celtic Park on Saturday Credit: INSTAGRAM Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Irish Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Here's the goal that earned Ireland star his end-of-season award at Watford
Rocco Vata has brought the curtain down on his first full season in senior football - and the 20-year-old has certainly made his mark. His electrifying performances for Watford earned him plenty of plaudits and a first senior Ireland cap in the recent international window, when he came off the bench for the final 11 minutes of the 2-1 Nations League play-off away leg win against Bulgaria. Vata scored four goals in 35 appearances for Watford this season, including 17 starts, and he also popped up with four assists. But one moment in particular crowned a successful first season away from Celtic, where he spent 12 years between the club's academy and first-team, and played in just six senior games. Vata was presented with the club's Goal of the Season award on the pitch on Saturday, ahead of Watford's final game of the season, a 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday. Club legend Luther Blissett presented the Ireland prospect with his trophy in recognition of Vata's sensational FA Cup strike against Fulham in the third round. He received the ball on the turn, just inside the Fulham half, ran towards goal and sent a sensational 30-yard strike into the top right-hand corner of the net. With 10 goals up for consideration, Vata's won a whopping 48 percent of the vote.
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Vata a Watford injury doubt for Rovers trip
Watford attacking midfielder Rocco Vata may not be available for the side's trip to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (15:00 BST) after rolling his ankle in is currently being assessed but would be a huge miss for the Hornets, who already have three other attacking players on the sidelines."It's been a challenging period, let's not dress it up any other way," boss Tom Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio."We felt we missed out on an attacking player in January and we were crossing our fingers that we wouldn't suffer any suspensions or injuries and they've all come at the same time."Kwadwo Baah, Giorgi Chakvetadze and Amin Nabizada are the three other players missing, with defender Yasser Larouci and goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann also ruled have lost their past three league matches and slipped to 12th in the Championship.
Reuters
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Burnley edge closer to Premier League promotion with win over Watford
WATFORD, England, April 18 (Reuters) - Josh Brownhill's second-half strike earned Burnley a 2-1 win at nine-man Watford on Friday, extending the visitors' unbeaten run in the Championship to 30 matches and moving them closer to a Premier League return. Burnley climbed to the top of the standings with 91 points from 43 games, three ahead of second-placed Leeds United, who travel to Oxford United later on Friday. Watford, who dropped to 12th place, went ahead in the eighth minute when Rocco Vata's swerving cross was nodded home by Mamadou Doumbia, but the hosts spurned a number of chances to extend their lead. They were made to rue their wastefulness on the stroke of halftime after a rapid Burnley counter-attack was finished off by Zian Flemming with a diving header. Buoyed by the equaliser, Burnley dialled up the pressure after the interval and found the winner in the 58th minute through Brownhill's close-range header. Watford, seeing their chances of closing in on the playoff positions evaporate, imploded immediately after conceding. Moussa Sissoko was shown a red card for shoving Flemming from the kickoff and any chance the hosts had of mounting a comeback disappeared when midfielder Edo Kayembe was dismissed in the 69th minute after picking up his second yellow card. Burnley continued their remarkable unbeaten record in the Championship, with Scott Parker's side last losing a league game in November. They are only the second team in Championship history to go 30 consecutive games without losing in the regular season after Reading accomplished the feat in 2006. Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond
