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Fullname: Vasilios Cornelius Barkas
aka: Vasilis Barkas
Born: 30 May 1994
Birthplace: Zetten, Netherlands
Signed: 30 Jul 2020
Left: 5 June 2023 (free)
Position: Goalkeeper
Debut: 2020-08-09: Kilmarnock 1-1 Celtic, SP [penalty conceded not his fault]
Loan out: to Utrecht (season June 2022-June 2023)
Squad No.: 1
Internationals: Greece
International Caps: 13 [complete at end of career]
Biog
With the loss of Fraser Forster whom all had hoped would remain at Celtic, Vasilis Barkas had some big shoes to fill. Signed for an estimated £5m, he was an expensive signing.
Celtic had recently let the popular Craig Gordon go (due to age) and Bain was simply not up the required level for Celtic who were gunning to break records for ten-in-a-row. Barkas signed as the Coronavirus pandemic measures were being eased in the UK, and no competitive matches had been played since March. So an interesting time to join Celtic.
He had a tricky debut conceding a penalty which actually was the fault of Christoph Julien, but it was a lesson for all. Things though little improved from there.
He seemed to never command his goals and communication was poor with the defence. That season saw Celtic’s defence at its poorest since the early 1990s, and as a unit there was no denying the loss of form. Barkas was poor and in truth there was hardly a notable game for sympathisers to support his case. The goalkeepers ended up being rotated with little comfort on who was the least worst. In fairness, the coaching set up was hopeless, and the defence was poorly organised. Goals kept being lost from set pieces to the point that it stopped becoming a surprise.
Didn’t help when Barkas was thrown under the bus by his manager, when before a match v Hamilton in January 2021, Neil Lennon having put Bain as the goalkeeper for the match then came out criticising Barkas for his form not being up to standard. Hardly going to help his confidence.
Neil Lennon was himself soon cut, but it also asked questions on the future for Barkas at Celtic.
Barkas was an expensive failing to date, but with his pedigree and experience it’s likely that the Celtic coaching team should shoulder a lot of the blame too. A player doesn’t necessarily turn rotten overnight. Questions of suitability, settling in, coaching, assistance, preparation and so on were being asked with regards to Barkas. It didn’t help that the covid pandemic had shattered the working environment.
It was a shambolic season, and Celtic had collapsed, ending the season with no silverware, an extraordinary point as Celtic had won the previous 12 domestic titles in Scotland (quadruple treble), a historic achievement. Practically all the players had regressed that season with few exceptions, so Barkas wasn’t alone. Transfers were generally poor and unsuccessful, and Barkas deserved some leeway, albeit he was the highest profile of the failed transfers. Like plenty of others he needed a radical reboot.
Ange Postecoglou era
The arrival of fellow Greek Ange Postecoglou was a surprise bit of luck for Barkas, and early on it was thought that Barkas was the best option for the goalkeeping position, but it all turned sour quickly. A dire performance in a friendly v West Ham, and then being blamed for the conceded goal v FC Midjytlland in the Champions League qualifiers all but killed off confidence in him at Celtic. He flapped badly at what should have been a routine set-piece that led to the conceded goal in the FC Midjytlland game, and it proved to be very costly over the two legs as Celtic were knocked out.
There was actually a lot of leeway given to him as Celtic were struggling with goalkeepers, but it was now clear his time was over before the reboot had got going. Once former England goalkeeper Joe Hart was transferred in, Barkas was pushed down to even challenging for the reserve goalkeeping position let alone the first team choice.
On a personal front there had been no issue with him at all. It just never worked out. You could see effort, and he was a fair shot stopper but the rest of his game was poor. The contrast between Joe Hart in goal compared to Barkas was to be very evident, in particular the often domineering & commanding methods by Joe Hart compared to the more docile Barkas. It made a difference.
He was sent on loan to Utrecht for season 2022/23, and quickly spoiled everything with a flippant remark in an interview with Greek media which could easily be countered (not least by with the example of current incumbent Joe Hart):
“Celtic is a huge club, but I wouldn’t recommend a goalkeeper to come here.”
He missed out on a golden era at Celtic, as Postecoglu turned things around, and would have done wonders for his career if he had remained and tried to put the effort in, but likely only as an understudy to Joe Hart.
Unsurprisingly, on hist return back from his loan he was let go on a free with one year left on his contract in June 2023. He’d actually had a decent time at Utrecht on loan, but they were not willing to pay the transfer fee, likely in knowledge that Celtic would cut him for free on his return anyhow.
It hadn’t worked out at Celtic for him. We wished him the best.
Post-Celtic
[….]
Quotes
“It was not so easy for me [before the break] because I was coming from another country and the football here is different. I tried to find what the coach wanted from me and I tried to find what my team-mates want from me and, with every game, I start to feel better and better, game by game, I feel that it gets better, but I’m sure I need more time to see what Scottish football wants from me.”
Barkas after 5-0 Ross County away win (Sep 2020)
“It all happened very quickly , but then the coronavirus came and the situation was difficult on a day-to-day basis. I regretted that decision because things didn’t turn out the way I thought they would. But you can’t know beforehand.
“What saddens me is that some money was spent on me and I didn’t feel the investment. I didn’t feel I was an important part of the team. But it may not even be the team’s fault.
“It was a Covid year, everything was different. The first six months I didn’t know my teammates, we were in different locker rooms.
“Celtic is a huge club, but I wouldn’t recommend a goalkeeper to come here.”
Barkas interview to Betarades – a Greek media outlet (June 2022)
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2020-21 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 22 |
| Shut-outs | |||||
| 2021-22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Shut-outs | |||||
| Total | 16 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 24 |
| Shut-outs |
Honours with Celtic
(Honours below are attributed for those campaigns in which the player has played in at least one match in the campaign)
Pictures
KDS
Articles
BARKAS AIMS TO BE HISTORY BHOY
https://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/barkas-aims-to-be-history-bhoy/
By CQN Magazine on 30th July 2020 Latest News
GREEK international keeper Vasilis Barkas finalised his £4.5million switch to Celtic this afternoon – and is poised to be plunged into his first-team debut against Hamilton Accies on Sunday.
The 26-year-old AEK Athens shotstopper came through his medical with any hitches and is now looking forward to becoming a history-maker as the champions go for a record-breaking tenth successive title.
The new Bhoy, who agreed a four-year contract, told Celtic TV: “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.
“Winning medals and trophies is why I came here. I want to win 10 in-a-row, and I want to help us get into the Champions League. That’s what I want.
“The manager spoke to me about the club, the pressure here and that he wants us to be champions again. That’s one of the reasons I came here and I think that him and I have a very good relationship so far.”
Barkas has already experienced Paradise before, when he played against Brendan Rodgers’ side in a 1-1 in the Champions League qualifier in 2018.
Unfortunately, for the Hoops they could not improve on their first-leg result and lost 2-1 in the Greek capital to exit the elite competition.
The 6ft-plus goalie added: “When I played here, I remember the atmosphere in the stadium, it was extraordinary. We can’t play with fans at the moment, but I’m looking forward to that soon.
“I feel good with pressure, if a game is played like a friendly, I don’t like that. I don’t like friendly games, I like to play under pressure,
“I like the derbies, I like the Champions League games – these are what I’m looking forward to.”
Neil Lennon ended his four-month hunt for a new netminder when it became apparent Fraser Forster would not be returning after last season’s impressive loan season from Southampton.
Reports across the border also insist the Hoops boss is on the brink of signing ex-England No.1 Joe Hart who is a free agent after leaving Burnley at the end of his contract last season.
The Hoops operated with three top-quality keepers last term with Scott Bain also involved alongside Forster and Craig Gordon, who rejoined Hearts in a two-year deal in the summer.
It is likely he will want to add to Barkas and Bain and another custodian will be added during this transfer window.
What Giorgios Samaras told Vasilis Barkas to sell him on Celtic
New Greek keeper sets sights on long stay in Glasgow
By Andrew Smith
Friday, 31st July 2020, 7:30 am
Celtic supporters were hardly universally supportive of what Georgios Samaras contributed to the club’s cause across a wildly fluctuating seven-year stint in Scotland. But after crying out for a pedigree keeper as it became apparent there was to be no return for Fraser Forster, they can thank Samaras for answering the call.
The call in question was the one that Vasilis Barkas put into the big forward, now retired and vice-president at OFI Crete. It proved decisive in the 26-year-old Greek international deciding to commit himself to a four-year deal with the Scottish champions, his £5 million move from AEK Athens finalised yesterday. Now, Barkas wants to enjoy the highs Samaras did following his move to Glasgow in 2007; the steepest proving the pivotal role he played in the club’s run to the last 16 of the Champions League in 2012.
Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports
“I was able to speak to him because one of my very good friends plays for OFI, and has a very good relationship with him,” said Barkas.
“He just said ‘go, don’t even think about it.’
“He told me how Celtic was a very big team and the fans loved the team so much and were crazy about the team. That made my decision easier.
“But I already knew Celtic were a very big team and club with great fans and a great stadium which has a good atmosphere. I think all the players want to play for Celtic but it was good to speak to Samaras. I know that before me, he is the only Greek player to play for Celtic so I hope to have the same career here that he did because I know he was successful. I want to become a big player here like he was.
“I remember he played in the last 16 of the Champions League with Celtic and I’m ready to do the same. I want to help take Celtic as far as possible in the Champions League.”
Barkas, who remembers the Parkhead atmosphere as “something very special” from when he was part of the AEK side which stymied Celtic’s attempts to reach the group stages two years ago, believes that all his career aspirations can be served in Glasgow. Even when he is aiming for pre-eminence in his field.
“I want to stay here a long time, a lot of years, and to become the best goalkeeper,” he added.
“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.”
Barkas began his career with “a small club in Athens and then I played 11 years for Atromitos. Then AEK bought me and I had four years there I won one championship. And now I am here to win another championship.”
Not just any championship but an historic tenth straight title. That pursuit of the unprecedented will put him under no extra pressure, he says, since the obligation is to win the league every year at the club.
Barkas considers he will be ready to take his place between the uprights for the club’s Premiership opener at home to Hamilton Accies “with one or two training sessions”.
He may show more than his handling abilities in those since he has a penchant for demonstrating his ball skills outfield. “I like playing other positions. I like being a goalkeeper, but I also like playing with my feet, so I wouldn’t have a problem playing left-back or midfielder or something like that… I always played as goalkeeper but as the years have passed I have liked to play outfield as in modern football goalkeepers need to be able to play.”
His inspiration in the day job is German World Cup winner Manuel Neuer, and not because the Bayern Munich
No 1 is far from averse to joining in the play with his feet, charging up the pitch when the occasion allows or demands. The pair encountered one another when Barkas excelled for AEK across their Champions League group stage defeats by the Bavarians in 2018.
These proved precious occasions for the now Celtic keeper, who said: “He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, both with feet and with hands.
“For a goalkeeper confidence is everything. It’s his job to give confidence to his team-mates and the character he shows is crucial to the team. I don’t know yet if the coach will be happy with me running to the halfway line like Neuer. But if I save one goal doing it then why not?’
“It was special for me to play against him. It was a dream actually. I was able to take his shirt. That’s what football is all about. When you see your idol up close and play against him. Those were two of my best games, I made two good games against Bayern.
“After the game he said to me I did good and told me to keep going. When your idol speaks with you and says you did good you feel fantastic. And maybe I will meet him again playing in the Champions League with Celtic.”
Vasilis Barkas On FC Utrecht, His Time At Celtic And Learning From Joe Hart
https://worldfootballindex.com/2024/05/vasilis-barkas-on-fc-utrecht-his-time-at-celtic-and-learning-from-joe-hart/
Callum McFadden 0 May 8, 2024
Vasilis Barkas On FC Utrecht, His Time At Celtic And Learning From Joe Hart
An interview with Vasilis Barkas, by Callum McFadden for WFi.
You joined FC Utrecht permanently in the summer of 2023 after spending last season on loan at the club. How happy are you with your time at the club so far?
“I am very happy. We are doing what we need to do in order to challenge for the European places. That was the aim for us and we are not there yet.
“I love playing for our fans, they seem to love me, and I love them as well. They supported me from the first moment when I came here last season and I want to thank them because their support drives me on to succeed for them and this club.”
Before coming to FC Utrecht, you joined Celtic from AEK Athens in a high-profile transfer in 2020. How do you reflect on your time in Scotland when you look back now?
“It was a move that excited me at the time, but the timing was unlucky as no one knew that Covid would have the impact on things as it did.
“I went to another country to play outside Greece for the first time and due to the situation, players had to be in different changing rooms and stay apart from each other as much as possible.
“That meant that I was not able to have the connection with my teammates like I had at AEK before I arrived.
“I was also not able to enjoy the simple things such as going out for coffee as you were not allowed to with the Covid rules.
“I felt like I did not have a period to acclimatise to Scotland as I would have liked which impacted on my mental health and then in my ability to perform as I had before.
“People may look at me and say that it did not work out and that is true, but Celtic is a big club in European football, and I always have to thank them for what they gave me as it was my first experience of football abroad and I saw a different football culture.
“Sure, it did not work out for me as I would have liked but that is life, and it cannot be changed.”
Joe Hart arrived at Celtic while you were at the club. What was it like training alongside someone like him?
“Joe Hart was a fantastic person as well as being a fantastic player, with a strong sense of humour also.
“He achieved so much by winning the Premier League and FA Cup at Manchester City, but he never had an ego. He was humble and worked hard every single day in training.
“We had a strong relationship and shared many laughs together. It was a pleasure to know him.”
Given your strong run of form at FC Utrecht, is your aim to establish yourself again within the Greek national team going forward?
“In all honesty, I do not think about it.
“Of course, it is always an honour to represent the national team, but I only think about playing well for FC Utrecht and if I am good enough then they call me in the national team.
“One thing is for sure; I will always be available for my country whenever they need me.”
The club are currently in the hunt for European football. How much would it mean to you and the club if you could qualify for Europe?
“It would be the best feeling because we have played the whole season with the aim of qualifying for European football in mind.
“We had a bad start to the season but our standards, but now we are ready, I think, to qualify for Europe.
“We will give everything until the end of the season to make it happen.”
Finally, Vasilas, it seems like you’re really at home in Utrecht. How proud are you of the relationship that you have with the fanbase?
“Absolutely, I feel at home here.
“Of course, my mother is Dutch which helped me settle into the culture.
“I have a lot of friends here on and off the pitch, I love to play for Utrecht and for our fans.
“It is an honour for me to play for them and to play in such a strong league as the Eredivisie.”