Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has reacted to claims that Rocco Vata could be the latest young player to leave the Hoops for a club south of the border.

Reports have linked the 17-year-old with a €2m move to Arsenal and Manchester City, while the likes of Juventus, AC Milan and Roma have also been credited with an interest in the forward. When asked about what he can do to stem the talent drain from their academy, Postecoglou replied:

“It is about having a strategy in place. With the ‘B’ team, we are really happy with the progress of a number of players. Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea are doing a great job. I am closely linked to them and I follow their progress. All that we can do is provide that pathway. I know we’ve lost a few but we have Anthony Ralston, Callum McGregor and James Forrest. They are living, breathing examples of if you stay at this football club, you can still have a pretty good career. It’s not like we don’t have a formula.”

Since Brexit, Premier League clubs have been looking in Scotland to recruit for their academies, after a ban was enforced on teams signing players under the age of 18 from abroad. One of the most high profile examples was Ben Doak’s departure to Liverpool.

However, Vata’s situation is slightly different. Unlike Doak, the forward has signed a professional contract so Celtic will have the final say on whether he leaves Glasgow or not.