Former Celtic star Rudi Vata whose son has recently signed for Celtic has declared Rocco Vata will play for Ireland and under 15 level after the country picked him up.
Vata revealed that Rocco is eligible for Ireland through his gran on his mother’s side and the country have been very good with him to this point.
The flip side of the coin is, Vata, an Albanian is getting stick back home for letting his bhoy choose Ireland instead of playing for Albania but the former footballer turned agent refutes those claims and slams the lack of professionalism in the Albanian set up.
“Nobody in the Albanian FA contacted me about Rocco. I know that Scotland have watched him too, but the Irish association was the first to get in contact.” Vata told SunSport.
“His granny is the happiest Irish woman in Scotland!
“People in Albania know through social media he has been selected by Ireland. I believe many people back home are calling me names.
“People in Albania know through social media he has been selected by Ireland. I believe many people back home are calling me names.
“But if Albania had been professional enough, shown some interest and done their homework right they would have recognised Rocco was playing for Celtic and they would have contacted me.
“They didn’t show any kind of respect, desire or professionalism, and if they don’t do that, he will never play for Albania.”
The youngster is also available to play for Scotland but for right now he’s chosen Ireland and the country have also chose Rocco.
Until he gets a senior cap for any country he’s eligible for, Rocco can switch allegiance.
There could be time for them to mend fences with Albania, or Scotland to convince the player.
