Former Celtic star Rudi Vata's son has been handed his first Republic of Ireland start.
Fourteen-year-old Rocco Vata has been named in the U-15s team to face Poland on Thursday afternoon.
Vata Snr won the Scottish Cup with the Hoops in 1995 and earned 59 caps for Albania.
Rocco is also on course to star for the Parkhead side and is currently on the books at the club's academy.
Having received no contact from the nation his father's homeland as yet, the youngster made himself available for Ireland and has been rewarded with his first international recognition.
His father said recently: "When I joined Celtic , I met my new team-mates for the first time in Dublin.
“My debut was against Sligo Rovers because we were on a pre-season tour.
“This is part of my history so it is special for my son to be in Ireland now.
“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.
“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.
"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.”
