Journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that Vasilis Barkas has not got a chance of getting back into the Celtic side after Joe Hart has cemented the No 1 spot.
The Greek goalkeeper signed for Celtic in 2020 from AEK Athens but he has been majorly out of favour this season, featuring just twice in all competitions, compared to 22 appearances for the Hoops last term.
Hart’s introduction to the club is a big reason why Barkas has been sidelined. The English ‘keeper has featured 28 times in the Scottish Premiership for Celtic and has made an impressive 16 clean sheets over that period.
With Hart’s good form for the Hoops, O’Rourke told GiveMeSport that Barkas has got no chance of making his way back into Ange Postecoglou’s side.
He said: “He’s not going to get back in the Celtic team right now with Joe Hart firmly established as number one, so I think Barkas hasn’t got any chance of getting back into Celtic’s plans.”
TIF Thoughts on Pete O’Rourke’s comments…
Hart has been excellent since he was brought into Celtic by Postecoglou in the summer from Tottenham Hotspur, and his clean sheet record has been crucial for the Scottish side as they sit top of the Scottish Premiership.
Barkas, who is valued at £1.35 million (as per Transfermarkt), has been something of a disaster since he signed, and according to a Greek report, via the Daily Record, the ‘keeper has “demanded” to leave the club in the summer due to a lack of game time this season for his side.
Celtic are evidently better off this season with their new man between the sticks as they sit top of the league, whereas last season, Barkas was involved in the Celtic side that failed to complete 10 league titles in a row.