Brendan Rodgers says that Rocco Vata’s Celtic future is in his own hands, as he revealed that he would like to keep the youngster at the club.

Vata, who got his first senior goal for Celtic as he rounded off the 5-0 win over Buckie Thistle, has been the subject of speculation during the January transfer window, with reported interest from Italian clubs in prising him away from Glasgow.

His contract expires in the summer, but Rodgers says there is an offer on the table for the 18-year-old, as he encouraged the Irish youth international to be patient and earn his place in the Celtic team.

When asked if he hopes Vata will commit his future to the club, Rodgers said: “Yeah, but listen, that will be up to him.

“He is a talent and it depends what the mentality is with him and his representatives.  “You get some young players whose representatives will tell you that if he’s not playing in the first team starting then they don’t want to stay. If that’s the case, you’d better go then because you’ve got to earn the right. 

“He is 18 and I don’t need players ready at 18 unless they are real, real special talents. At 20 or 21 they need to be ready. But you can see he has tools, and this can be a really good place for him to develop. 

“It was nice for him to get his goal because that’s a good feeling and he has been here a long time as a young player and he has strengths we could develop.

“I believe [he has a contract offer]. There have been chats around that. My focus is purely on the playing aspect, but there will be something there for him I’m sure.

“Young players have to earn the right and the likes of Rocco there has been a lot of noise around him, but he is a very young player and he has to earn the opportunity. I’ve given many young players an opportunity in my career.

“I like Rocco. He has qualities. He is strong, he’s aggressive and from 25 yards in he wants to get goals. You can see even when he came on, he got his goal and he had another few opportunities. That’s good for him, he got a taste for it.

“Daniel Kelly is another I like. If he keeps developing and progressing, he will have a big future. He’s left sided, he’s quick, he’s strong, he presses the game very well and he’s very young.

“They get a taste or it and hopefully that taste gives them the motivation and determination to keep progressing.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers praised Buckie Thistle for their spirit and application as they left Celtic Park with their heads held high despite the heavy defeat.

“We have all seen the reaction to coming here and the journey they have been on to be here,” he said.

“It’s an amazing day for the club and for the players and the reality kicks in when you turn up here. 

“They gave everything and the goalkeeper made some really good saves and we could have punished a little bit more, but it was an amazing day for the club and hopefully it’s a memory that will stay with them for many years. 

“It’s what football is all about, creating memories. So, it was a great day for the club, and they did amazing to be here.”