Scottish Premiership misfit Vasilis Barkas knows he has no future under Ange Postecoglou at Celtic with a summer exit on the cards, as reported by Greek publication Fos Online.
First impressions count.
And, as Barkas let a free-kick slip through his fingers and into the back of the Celtic net during Postecoglou’s Parkhead debut back in July 2021, this felt like the beginning of the end for the £4.5 million shot-stopper in Glasgow.
Barkas has played just once since then; A 3-1 win at St Johnstone on Boxing Day.
In fact, he’s only been included in the matchday squad for one of Celtic’s last 30 league games, falling behind Scott Bain and a revitalised Joe Hart in Postecoglou’s pecking order.
It will come as no surprise, then, that Barkas is one of a number of Celtic players set to leave the Premiership leaders in the summer transfer window.
According to reports in Grece, Barkas knows he has no future in Glasgow and has asked to leave at the earliest opportunity. One suspects that few at Parkhead will stand in his way.
Has Vasilis Barkas played his last game for Celtic?
Barkas has another two years left on his Celtic contract.
The former AEK Athens ‘keeper, who impressed against the Hoops in a Champions League qualifier back in 2018, nearly joined Sheffield United in January, before a move to Bramall Lane fell through (Mail).
Swedish outfit IFK Gothenburg were linked too. Although, according to Fos Online, their initial interest never translated into a serious offer.
“We want to bring in a goalkeeper,” IFK director Pontus Farnerud explained at the time. “And we will do that. We’re close (to signing one). But I do not want to say who it is.
“I will not comment on how many (goalkeepers we’ve considered). But we have looked at many and have high ambitions.”
Alongside Barkas, Albian Ajeti and Ismaila Soro will probably depart before 2022/23 kicks off.
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