Rocco Vata may have to leave Celtic in order to realise his full potential.
That's according to Republic of Ireland Under 21 manager Jim Crawford.
The exciting young talent is into the final 12 months of his contract at Parkhead.
The 18-year-old has several clubs interested in his signature, including Torina and Club Brugge on the continent.
The Hoops run the risk of losing him at the end of the season for just training compensation with Vata free to sign a pre-contract in January.
It's said that the attacker is frustrated by a lack of first-team minutes and ultimately wants regular game time at a higher level than in the Lowland League with the club's B team.
And Crawford has hinted that Vata could well leave the Scottish champions next year.
He said: “Rocco has been playing but the difference is the intensity levels, at this level you'd be different to what he is used to with Celtic B but at least he’s playing every week. That's the main thing.
“I think we saw flashes of how good he is there. He is still eligible to play with the U-19s. To score two goals, I'm excited by him. There is a lot more to come from him. Rocco is ambitious. Reading between the lines I think he wants to get out and play first team football. Is he going to get that at Celtic?
"It’s probably unlikely at this stage but that’s between Rocco, his representatives and the club what's best for him going forward. All I can say from an Ireland side of things is that he is a very, very good prospect.
“I have seen it with players how that decision with their club or where they go impacts them at international level, and how international level affects their own development. It’s important that whatever he does is in the interest of Rocco.”
Meanwhile, Nat Phillips was a notable absentee for Celtic at Ibrox. The Liverpool defender was expected to make his debut after joining on loan in the powderkeg fixture against Rangers.
However, he was missing from the matchday squad for the 1-0 win with manager Brendan Rodgers citing fitness concerns from his parent club.
Phillips was present at Ibrox for the match though. But instead of taking a seat in the stands, Phillips watched his new team-mates claim victory from the media room at Ibrox.
