The midfielder bagged a brace in last night’s comfortable Euro 2025 qualifying win over minnows San Marino. While Crawford insists there is more to come from Vata in this campaign, he feels a departure from Parkhead is expected with the 18-year-old not in Brendan Rodgers’ first-team plans this season.

Vata is in the last year of his contract at Celtic and with sides like Verona and Club Brugge recently expressing interest in the youngster, Crawford stressed the importance of making the right move at club level and how it can impact on a player’s international ambitions.

“Rocco has been playing, but the difference is the intensity levels,” said Crawford after the Turner’s Cross win.

“This level would be different to what he is used to with Celtic B, but at least he’s playing every week. I think we saw flashes of how good he is there. He is still eligible to play with the U-19s. So to score two goals, I’m excited for 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 is 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 interests of Rocco.”

Two players who are featuring regularly at first-team level are QPR forward Sinclair Armstrong and Corkman Matt Healy. Fresh from making his senior debut against the Dutch on Sunday, Armstrong returned to the starting line-up to net his first U-21 goal on Tuesday, while Healy, who joined Belgian side Francs Borains in July, was awarded Man of the Match after a bright display from midfield.

“San Marino was a different type of game for Sinclair,” added Crawford, whose side extended their unbeaten run to five games.

“It would have suited him more against Turkey probably, where there were bigger channels to run and space in behind. When a team sits deep with five at the back it can be challenging, but this is something he has to get used to. I’m sure the work they do at QPR with him will allow him to become a better player and deal with situations like that.

“One of the things with Matt is that he’s playing first team football. That was clear for everyone to see. He could always pass the ball. We have always recognised that even when he was playing in our league here. That’s what he brings to this group, his range of passing.

“One thing I saw last Friday was the other side of the game, picking up second phase balls, being aggressive when he needed to be and winning tackles. It just shows what first team football can do. He has come a long way.”

Having already bettered their return after the opening two games of the last campaign, in which they reached a first play-off, Crawford praised his new-look side for making it two wins from two but warned there are tougher tasks ahead, namely a huge double-header against Norway and Italy in two months’ time.

“The most important thing is that we have got six points from the opening window, that’s huge to get,” added Crawford, with the U-21s next in action away to Latvia next month.

“We got everyone on the pitch to earn U-21s caps. That creates a real togetherness and everyone feels a part of it. Sometimes it’s difficult talking to a 19 or 20-year-old saying you are not starting.

“For the last 10 days the lads have been exceptional. They all deserved their cap in this window, but there are bigger tests ahead that’s for sure.”