Top Celtic prospect Rocco Vata is a player in demand. 

The 18-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, with a host of clubs said to be monitoring his situation in Glasgow.

Now, Watford is the latest team to hold a firm interest in the Republic of Ireland youth international, according to The Athletic.

The report claims Vata is keen to play first-team football, with opportunities in Brendan Rodgers' starting XI hard to come by. 

If the championship club were to forge ahead with a deal, then they would be made to pay Celtic £239,000 in compensation. 

Vata has been offered a contract extension until the summer of 2027 by Celtic. 

However, there's been no movement on negotiations for the player, who is the son of ex-Celt Rudi.

He has a handful of first-team appearances to his name, grabbing his first goal for his boyhood team in a 5-0 Scottish Cup victory over Buckie Thistle. 

“I like Rocco. He has qualities," Rodgers said of Vata after that game. "He is strong, 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 a few other opportunities.

"That’s good for him, he got a taste for it.”

Vata has been the subject of plenty of interest over the past 12 months, with Serie A side Torina among them. 

Nottingham Forest made an offer for Vata last summer, however, this was rejected by the Hoops.

READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers cited by SFA and facing ban after furious Celtic VAR remarks

Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers has been cited by the Scottish FA after his furious comments on refereeing "incompetence" in Celtic's loss to Hearts.

The Parkhead boss could face a ban after his post-match rant on officiating standards following the defeat at Tynecastle.