If you know your Greek mythology, you will know that Vasilis Barkas (28) joined Celtic as a goalkeeper two years ago.
During last season’s league campaign, he made it onto the bench for the opening game against Hearts and played the Boxing Day fixture at St Johnstone. In the cups, he was a Scottish Cup fifth round substitute against Raith Rovers. It was the Champions League qualification that made Ange Postecoglou’s mind up about him.
Midtjylland earned a first leg draw at Celtic Park with a goal that Vasilis carried the can for. Ange had seen enough. The Boxing Day appearance was a result of significant illness in the squad, it is telling that Vasilis was unaffected.
Yesterday, he travelled to Utrecht in the Netherlands, the land of his birth, where he will spend next season trying to get his career back on track.
Barkas is the most expensive goalkeeper signing in our history and was a significant deviation from plan. International travel was banned in the spring of 2020 and scouts were not permitted to attend games until late in the summer.
Fraser Forster, who performed superbly for Celtic the previous season, had permission from parent club, Southampton, to train with us pending completion of an anticipated new loan deal. The south coast club had some details to take care of first but terms were agreed.
Craig Gordon had been backup to Fraser and had an offer on the table from Celtic to remain at the club another season. Craig, however, was at the stage of his career where he wanted to play and left to join Hearts on a significantly lower wage than was on the table at Celtic.
When Southampton gave Celtic the green light, Peter Lawwell called Fraser at Lennoxtown to confirm the deal was done, only to be told, “Actually, I’m not sure.” I understand there was a possibility of some goalkeeper movement at Chelsea and they were looking at backup options. Fraser was invited to empty his locker.
Had he revealed his hesitation a week earlier, Craig Gordon would have accepted the higher-paid contract at Celtic and stayed as first choice. He didn’t just let the club down, his ‘keeper pal was denied money and potentially medals.
Unable to scout, Celtic were left in a position of recruiting from the teams they play against, or relying on external scouts in Europe. This latter route brought Barkas to Glasgow. He successfully played against Celtic in Champions League qualification two years earlier, was a full Greek international with experience at the top table of European football.
We will hopefully never had to sign a player without going through proper scouting processes again, alas, a repeat of the behaviour of Fraser Forster is something we are likely to see at some point.
Good luck, Vasilis.
148 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
I thought Ukraine were a great bet tonight. Bookies made ROI favourite. Don’t know why, given each teams performance at weekend. 2/1 was available at bookies.
I had to back it. Thought about also betting 0-1 correct score. But got greedy and backed 0-2 (18/1) and 0-3 (53/1) Then had a slight panic when I saw 10 changes to the Ukraine line up!
Switched over after Scotland final whistle, and caught injury time in Dublin – and saw Ukraine nearly score a second in last min of injury time!
Hey ho. Got the 2/1 single up
Southampton signing a Republic of Ireland reserve GK,for £11 million rising to £15 million….Gavin Bazunu anyone?
I had a good bet on 2-0 Scotland. At half-time I was not hopeful, but being a big Scotland supporter, I didn’t mind.
Until the last 5 minutes. Both teams could have scored.
But they didn’t.
Happy days.
Well done, Tom. A winner’s a winner 👏
If Clarke had done a better job, you might have lost lol
CALL ME GERRY
My thoughts at HT.
Cheers mate.
Just catching up from this morning fholks. Thanks for all the good wishes for our holiday to Turkey on Friday. We are going to Antalya, Laura Beach, looking forward to it.
HH
Lara Beach…
At least with trolls, we had somethin’ to read. I’ll need to find a book.
FRIESDORFER on 8TH JUNE 2022 11:16 PM
If you get a chance to visit Olu Deniz, I recommend it for the restaurants – all kinds of foods (except Greek of course!). The beach is stunning and has many great bars.
Enjoy!
HH
Good morning all from Govanhill. Raining again. Is there no end to this folly?
Good morning all from another rainy day in the Garngad
BRRB you just makes sure you are at the bar at 1pm manana in the Shipbank.
See you and big Jimmy and anyone else who cares for afternoon tea there Amigo.
D :)
Right coal face beckons.
Play nice now.
D :)
David 66, my selection was never in doubt. I’m the managers favourite. 😂
Good morning from a beautiful sunny North Staffs. Got my 3 year old grandson to entertain today – Mrs Gene has other duties –
so an interesting day beckons.
Didn’t watch the game last night but well done to Tony.
Just cos things are on the quiet side, https://philmacgiollabhain.ie/2022/06/08/threadbare-arguments-in-the-blue-room/
I particularly liked the throwaway “Given Mr King’s impeccable reputation for veracity in business matters ….”.
FRIESDORFER on 8TH JUNE 2022 11:16 PM
Just catching up from this morning fholks. Thanks for all the good wishes for our holiday to Turkey on Friday. We are going to Antalya, Laura Beach, looking forward to it.
——-
Friesdorfer – Have a good one.
Who are you flying with? Reason I ask is we are flying to Antalya/Alanya with TUI on 2/7/22 and are a bit worried with cancellations etc.
D :)
SLÁINTE ANGE 3.19
Cheers, hope to do that.
HH
Happy St.Columba’s day,Saint of my parish
God bless all.
Peace
HH
David 66
Flying with Jet2 on a package holiday out of Edinburgh. Have heard conflicting stories, lady from my gym class said on Tuesday this week that she had just come back from Turkey (with Jet2) and still hadn’t got her baggage – she gave up at the airport and went home. She was hoping it would arrive at her house yesterday..! Got another class this afternoon, so I’ll ask her for the latest, and will post here. 🤞🤞
HH
As it’s quiet here is some light viewing on the nature of stupidity…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww47bR86wSc
DAVID66
How ye doin
Waiting on Spain and Portugal tonight for a wee coupon.its a 6 game acca.4 games won last night including Ukraine at 21/10.cash oot is £35.coupons paying £115.spain away go switzerland is the dodgy one me thinks..eh?
Was unlucky the other night when TavPens fellow Engerlander KanePen done me for £140 in 88th min
BTW
My sister Kerry is away to Greta Green to get married tmw.only told us last week.wants no fuss(shes 52 now haha).wee party in the Lovat on sat if yer aboot🍀🍻🍾
Dundee United manager given permission to talk to a Croatian club….
Morning all.
FRANKTERRY on 9TH JUNE 2022 9:56 AM
Thanks for posting that video, I found it very interesting.
Brian
Frankterry 9:56 am – very interesting and frighteningly true
BELMONTBRIAN on 9TH JUNE 2022 10:27 AM
TIM MALONE WILL TELL on 9TH JUNE 2022 10:37 AM
Cheers. Indeed, can explain a lot of stuff that is going on…
FRANKTERRY on 9TH JUNE 2022 9:56 AM
As it’s quiet here is some light viewing on the nature of stupidity…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww47bR86wSc
Brilliant.So much springs to mind when you are listening to it.Obvious ones for me,Trump,and Liquidation,but sooooooo much more.
!!BADA BING!! on 9TH JUNE 2022 10:07 AM
Dundee United manager given permission to talk to a Croatian club….
Liam McLeod of BBC constantly pronounces Rijeka as Rye-eek-a instead of Ree-yake-a. A female on BBC Scotland did the same this morning. How difficult is it for our national broadcaster to check on the correct pronunciation?
One more question – does Liam McLeod get paid by the word? I have never heard a commentator who uses so many words. Mouth before brain.
Morning all.
Unusually for me, actually watched highlights last night.
From that ….
Ralston played well. Only differences between the outcomes he and Patterson deliver on the pitch are
– Tony delivers more
– but not accompanied by any drooling
Steve Clarke?
Perhaps unkind but I routinely get the impression his teams’ ceilings are always in the “nearly” space.
Tricky one.
He’ll deliver solid & consistent but with few amazing peaks.
PS – His post match comment about playing against an 11 man defence could have come straight out of the Irony Handbook.
Bada Bing @ 10.13 – A couple of posters on here tipped that young lad a few weeks ago as someone Celtic should be asking the question about, I can’t remember who so can’t assign the kudos due.
He’s very highly rated it seems, if he takes a similar path to Fraser Forster we might yet see him at Parkhead.
HRVATSKI JIM on 9TH JUNE 2022 11:17 AM
!!BADA BING!! on 9TH JUNE 2022 10:07 AM
‘One more question – does Liam McLeod get paid by the word? I have never heard a commentator who uses so many words.’
###
You’ve obviously never heard Leanne Crichton then. Talks really fast and never shuts up, but doesn’t repeat herself and usually has something worthwhile to say.
Celtic fan Tam courted by Croatians
Ernie
The last 11 words of your post would be a welcome character trait change for Liam McLeod.
new article posted.