NEW Bhoy Vasilis Barkas has urged Neil Lennon to give him a quickfire debut in his quest to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
The Greek international No.1 has set his sights high after completing his £4.5million, four-year move to the champions, as CQN reported yesterday.
Barkas is eager to show his qualities right from the off and is keen to make his debut in Sunday’s Premiership opener when Hamilton Accies visit Parkhead on Flag Day to celebrate last season’s ninth successive title triumph.
The 26-year-old former AEK Athens shotstopper, who has 10 caps for Greece, is hoping to get the nod ahead of Scott Bain as the Hoops embark upon another history-making campaign.
Barkas, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “When you are the best goalkeeper at Celtic, you are automatically one of the best in Europe and in the world.
“It’s one of the biggest teams in the world, so you become one of the biggest goalkeepers, in my opinion.
“I want to stay here a long time, a lot of years and to become the best goalkeeper.
“I feel ready to take the next step. I feel very good that my next step is to a bigger team and Celtic is a very good step to help me make my career even better and bigger.
“I’m very happy to be here. It’s a dream to come to one of the biggest teams in Europe and I can’t wait to play for Celtic. I’m so excited and I can’t wait to play my first game.”
The Holland-born custodian played for AEK at the resumption following lockdown and insisted he is ready for the challenge in Glasgow.
He added: “I think with two more days training, yes I can play. I don’t feel pressure or something like that.
“Even in AEK, I don’t feel pressure. I’m working every day to do my job just like my team mates, so I don’t feel anything extra.
“I feel comfortable with this and I want to do my job, keep clean sheets and help my team to win.
“I want to win 10 in-a-row and I want to help us get into the Champions League. That’s what I want.”
