“My mother is from here so I’m really happy that I came back,” Greece keeper on his Dutch roots

Vasilis Barkas has been introduced to his new club’s support by way of an interview on the Utrecht club website, and it appears Barkas is in a positive frame of mind as he sets about on a fresh challenge away from Celtic where the £4.5 signing from AEK Athens performances have been underwhelming to say the least.

“It’s really amazing. It’s a great honour for me to be at a great club with nice, crazy fans, and in a really good league.

So, I feel excited and I can’t wait to start training with my new team. I want to get myself to work and help the team try to go as far as we can, to get European football again where we have to be. And of course, play nice football.

“I like to play football; I like to play outside. I’m not the kind of goalkeeper who will stay on my line. So yes, I would like to play outside.

“My mother is from here so I’m really happy that I came back. The last time I was here to visit Holland was 18 years ago, so it’s been a long time. So I can’t wait to meet some people here and see the Dutch philosophy. I’m really excited.”

The one-year loan deal to Utrecht is a good opportunity for Barkas to rebuild his confidence away from Celtic, where had it not been for bad luck the Greek ‘keeper would have had no luck at all.

You’d assume there is a lot more ability in Barkas than Celtic fans have seen in his time in Glasgow, given he’s a Greek international, arrived on a hefty fee from AEK Athens and seemed highly regarded by his previous club. So perhaps a move to Holland will rekindle the goalkeeper’s career and rebuild his confidence.

It would be a hard conclusion to reach that Barkas may still have a future at Celtic, but according to Greek Sportime journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos, there has been no option to buy included in Barkas’ 12-monthagreement with the Dutch side.

No option to buy clause at Celtic – Utrecht deal for Vasilis Barkas@CelticFC #Celtic #CelticFC #Barkas

— Giannis Chorianopoulos (@choria80) June 8, 2022

Perhaps that means Celtic are still keeping the door open for a revitalised Barkas returning from the Netherlands as a goalkeeper resembling the one they thought they had purchased in the first place, but in truth that seems unlikely. And with Celtic rumoured to be in the chase for out of contract Dundee United ‘keeper Benjamin Siegrist it appears Celtic may be looking to sign a replacement for Barkas rather than one to come in on a short-term basis to cover his absence.

Whatever the outcome with Vasilis Barkas, you can’t help but hope this move to Utrecht works out for the player, because Celtic will at least still hope to recoup some of the record transfer fee the club have ever paid for a goalkeeper, and Barkas can help us achieve that aim whilst rebuilding his own reputation.

Niall J