The Daily Star Ireland
Watford manager Tom Cleverley praised Republic of Ireland underage international Rocco Vata for his late heroics in the team’s 1-0 victory over Portsmouth on St Stephen’s Day, describing him as “an animal around the box.” The 19-year-old, who joined Watford last summer from Celtic, made an immediate impact after coming off the bench at halftime. Vata scored the decisive goal in the 95th minute, taking his tally to two goals and two assists in his last four matches.
Cleverley expressed his admiration for Vata, highlighting his rapid development but also cautioning against expecting too much too soon from the young talent. The former Manchester United midfielder remarked on Vata’s relentless desire to score, noting that his two crucial goals showed that his success was no accident.
Although born in Glasgow, Vata has represented Ireland up to the Under-21 level. He is eligible to play for Scotland, Albania (his father’s homeland), and Montenegro. His recent form could see him fast-tracked into the senior national team ahead of the upcoming Nations League match against Bulgaria.
Vata’s dramatic stoppage-time goal sparked heated exchanges after the final whistle, particularly involving teammate Kwadwo Baah, who appeared to taunt Portsmouth fans with celebratory gestures. Portsmouth’s manager John Mousinho criticized Baah’s actions, warning that any of his own players would face serious consequences for similar behavior.
Cleverley, however, took issue with Mousinho’s comments, pointing out that it was Portsmouth’s bench that had lost their composure during the second half. He stressed that his own players had maintained their focus, contrasting their calm demeanor with the fiery exchanges on Portsmouth’s side. Cleverley also rejected Mousinho’s criticism, suggesting that his behavior had contributed to the tensions in the game.
While Cleverley defended his team’s overall conduct, he did not excuse Baah’s actions. The young forward had been booked earlier in the match for a foul, and his post-match behavior led to confrontations with Portsmouth players. Cleverley acknowledged the need for Baah to learn from the experience, emphasizing that players must handle scrutiny and hostile environments with humility. He made it clear that Baah would be dealt with internally, but stressed the importance of maintaining respect and dignity in the face of adversity.
