Celtic have chopped and changed in the goalkeeping department but Lennon has reached a decision
Neil Lennon has confirmed that Vasilis Barkas will start in goal for Celtic in Saturday’s derby.
The Greek keeper has failed to convince after arriving for £5m from AEK Athens in the summer, and both Scott Bain and Conor Hazard have been handed opportunities to impress.
Hazard had started the side’s last five matches, with Barkas’ last appearance coming in the 1-1 draw against St Johnstone on December 6.
With the huge derby against Rangers on the horizon, however, Barkas found himself back in the starting lineup for this afternoon’s match against Dundee United at Celtic Park.
The 26-year-old kept a clean sheet as Lennon’s side enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory thanks to goals from Ismaila Soro, David Turnbull and Odsonne Edouard.
Lennon confirmed after the game that Barkas will keep his place on Saturday.
In a tweet posted after the victory over Micky Mellon’s men, Radio Clyde Sports Editor Alison Conroy quoted Lennon as saying: “He’s come in as number 1 and I want him to play.
“I think Conor has done very well but he’s still very fledgling in his career and it’d be a big call to put him in a game of this magnitude”
The gap at the top of the Premiership remains 16 points going into Saturday’s match, with Rangers winning 2-0 against St Mirren in Paisley this afternoon.
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