VASILIS BARKAS has come out and asked the support to be patient with him as he learns the ropes at Celtic in what is a completely different scenario to what he’s used to.
The goalkeeper hasn’t had a lot to do since he came to the club, he’s not really been tested to any degree for people to form an opinion of him. It’s not stopped the negativity from the likes of Kris Commons who was quick to put the goalkeeper down after the Champions League exit.
Barkas is coming into a situation where he could have nothing to do for 80 minutes and then he needs to be called into action. That’s the hardest part for any Celtic goalkeeper, maintaining the level of concentration when most of the game is being played at the other end of the park.
You have to be ready for when the action does end up in the Celtic penalty area.
Barkas believes he’s up to the task but is still adjusting to life in Glasgow.
“The Scottish league is different for me. I need to adjust to it and it’s not easy.” the Celtic goalkeeper told SunSport.
“I am working hard each day and I am calm about it. Certainly, it will take me some time to adjust.
“At Celtic there is pressure on us to win the league.
“But my team mates believe in me and they have been very warm with me and so have the people in Scotland.
“With each passing game, I will get more used to my team mates and learn from them. I will work to become a better keeper.
“I enjoyed the international break, although obviously it was very different this time with all the restrictions, but I was used to it because we are always testing in Scotland.
“We’ve started with two positive results and we are favourites to win the group.
“Our manager, John van’t Schip, wants us to get better and has been very hands-on and I think you could see the results this week.
“I have strong competition for the position of goalkeeper in the national team and that’s a positive too.”
The goalkeeper will likely be in between the sticks at Dingwall today and will have the chance to help his team to another three points. It’s too early to make any proper judgements on the Greece International.
