Rocco Vata of Celtic showcased his talent by scoring three goals to lead the Republic of Ireland Under-21s to a dominant 7-0 victory against San Marino on the road.
The 18-year-old, whose future at Celtic is uncertain with his contract expiring soon, was one of four Irish players to find the back of the net, keeping the team on track for qualification to the 2025 European Under-21 Championship.
Sinclair Armstrong, Andrew Moran, and Armstrong Oko-Flex also contributed to the goal-fest, while a San Marino own goal from Giacomo Benvenuti added to Ireland’s impressive lead. Interest in Vata from clubs like Sampdoria, Bologna, and Watford adds to the intrigue surrounding his future.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers praised Vata’s talent but emphasized the importance of earning his place in the first team. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Vata’s future, his impressive hat-trick in the match against San Marino showcased his potential as a player.
Ireland’s commanding victory keeps them in second place in their group, with a playoff spot in sight. With upcoming matches against Turkey and Latvia, Jim Crawford’s team is focused on securing their place in the European Under-21 Championship.
