TWO of Celtic’s stars out on loan this season had dramatic constrasting fortunes at the weekend.
MIKEY JOHNSTON was the star of the show as he scored twice – including an incredible solo effort – in Portuguese outfit Vitoria Guimaraes’ 3-1 Cup win over lower league side Canelas 2010.
VASILIS BARKAS, the flop keeper who cost Neil Lennon £4.5million when he arrived from AEK Athens in the summer of 2020, conceded six as Utrecht nosedived to a 6-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven.
The former Scotland Under-21 winger, making his fourth appearance after agreeing a season-long temporary switch, netted a memorable opening goal with a 50-yard solo sprint before tucking the ball behind the mesmerised keeper.
Johnston added his team’s third as they eased past their 10-man opponents who had Chico Sousa red-carded.
PICK IT OUT…Vasilis Barkas is left standing as a header from a PSV Eindhoven opponent flies into the net in his side’s 6-1 loss.
However, it was an entirely different tale for Greek shotstopper Barkas who was on the receiving end of a six-goal onslaught in the Eredivisie match which left head coach Henk Fraser fuming after the heavy loss in Eindhoven.
The Dutch boss, speaking to the club’s official website, said: “I personally think it shouldn’t have been 6-1.
“I think the last two goals are absolutely unnecessary. Then it’s still 3-1 or 4-1, it’s still three points that you don’t have.
“It still remains very disappointing and almost frustrating.”
Barkas made only two first-team appearances after Ange Postecoglou was named as Lennon’s successor in June last year.
Celtic still hope to sell the unconvincing 28-year-old netminder who is under contract until May 2026.
Johnston, though, is seen as having a future at Parkhead and Postecoglou was looking for the 23-year-old winger to get some game time before allowing him to move to the Portuguese top-flight club in August.
