That Vasilis Barkas started Sunday’s Scottish Cup final victory over Hearts on the bench is a damning indictment of Celtic’s recruitment.
The Hoops paid £5 million to sign the Greek international goalkeeper from AEK Athens in July.
Six months later, and just 18 games into his Parkhead career, Celtic are already looking for a replacement.
The nervy Barkas has fallen behind Scott Bain and youngster Conor Hazard in the pecking order and, with Benjamin Siegrist now emerging as a January target for Neil Lennon’s embattled side, don’t be surprised if Celtic cut their losses on a £5 million misfit.
“Benjamin has had an extraordinary season. If there was a chance to move to Celtic then that would be a very good step for Benjamin,” Dr Thomas Kraft tells The Mail of the coveted Dundee United ace.
“Celtic have also scouted him several times, that is true.”
The Tangerines are demanding £1 million – quite literally a small price to pay for a man who, according to manager Micky Mellon, is the very best shot-stopper that Scottish football has to offer (Courier).
Seeing the former Aston Villa youngster linked with a move away from Tannadice is hardly an early Christmas present for Dundee United fans.
But with the impressive Deniz Mehmet waiting in the wings, Siegrist’s departure may be no disaster.
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