Celtic signed Vasilis Barkas to replace the outgoing Fraser Forster when the Englishman told the club late on he wasn’t returning from Southampton.
It left the Bhoys with a massive position to fill. Scouts quickly identified Vasilis Barkas and the club out serious money down for the Greek goalie to bring him in from AEK Athens.
As we know — the transfer has been an unmitigated disaster. The goalkeeper was in and out of the team during his first season which was also the lockdown season.
Barkas couldn’t get to grips with playing for Celtic and fans grew frustrated with the player’s inability to save even the basic of shots. Ange Postecoglou gave Barkas ONE game at the beginning of last season and when Barkas was at fault for a goal in the European qualifiers — he was quickly dropped.
Joe Hart was brought in and the rest is history.
Now he’s moved out on loan to FC Utrecht — the goalkeeper looks to rebuild his career.
Speaking to Greek outlet Betarades , Barkas said: “It all happened very quickly. But then the coronavirus came and the situation was difficult on a day-to-day basis.
“I regretted that decision because things didn’t turn out the way I thought they would. But you can’t know beforehand.
“What saddens me is that some money was spent on me and I didn’t feel the investment.
“I didn’t feel I was an important part of the team. But it may not even be the team’s fault. It was a Covid year, everything was different.”
Given the goalkeeper’s experience at Celtic — Barkas admitted he wouldn’t recommend other goalkeeper’s going to Parkhead.
Ultimately a lot was st play during Barkas’ first season at the club. The whole team was poor and with it being his first move abroad from Greece during isolating periods couldn’t have helped.
It’s strange he wouldn’t recommend the club — it hasn’t worked out for him but Joe Hart has done very well as had past signings when it comes to between the sticks.
Barkas will go down as one of Celtic’s most expensive flops. He does have more about him than what he showed at Celtic. Hopefully he shows that at Utrecht.
