Vasilis Barkas has received the backing of a former teammate as the Greek goalkeeper looks to establish himself as Celtic’s No.1. Barkas, a £4.5m acquisition from AEK Athens and Greece’s No.1, has come under fire this season for a perceived lack of ability. However, his former teammate Makis Giannikoglou reckons Barkas will prove his doubters wrong.
As reported by the Daily Record, Giannikoglou cites praise from Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer and the attributes that earned the player a move to the Scottish Champions.
“Vasilis had fantastic games in the Champions League. I was there in Munich when he played so well against Bayern and he was congratulated at the end of the game by Neuer.
“Some critical people are unfair on him. I’ve watched the Celtic games and the only goal I would really say Vasilis has been responsible for losing was the free-kick against AC Milan in the San Siro. More goals were lost in that match afterwards and people talked about him – but the rest were not him.
“I watched the Rangers game. Celtic played fantastic and then the red card cost the team. Then they lose a goal from a corner and people talk about Vasilis again after a deflection.
“Why fight with your keeper over a goal like that? Vasilis is also strong in the air. He
catches the ball from crosses and corners, he doesn’t slap it.
“He takes all the crosses as well as making saves and if people give him the time they will get to see this. Believe me, I worked with him, I know him, I know his abilities.”
Vasilis Barkas has underwhelmed this far in his Celtic career; however, he has to be offered the opportunity to come good and playing Scott Bain and Conor Hazard ahead of him is to the hinderance of the team. That is no disrespect to Bain or Hazard, both are a fine goalkeeper but Barkas was bought for the big money and whilst he has hardly set the world alight with his performances, he has been unlucky with the types of goals he’s conceded – owing to poor defending in front of him.
“He likes Scotland. He told me from the first day he loves it, even though with Covid you live only in your house. But you need time to know the way of the play. Once he has been given that time he will show everyone his quality – his team, the supporters and everyone.
“Vasilis has all the quality and if he gets the time that every player needs to fully adapt at a new club, things will be easy for him and the club
The transition to life in Glasgow hasn’t been smooth for the 26-year-old but he has joined the club at a truly extraordinary time, where emotions are fraught. Hopefully Giannikoglou is right and Barkas does come good for Celtic.
