We’re only just past the January transfer window and already some eyes are on possible activity at Celtic in the summer. The club have been very active, both in terms of incomings and outgoings, during the time of Ange Postecoglou as manager. And there’s going to be some huge decisions needed as far as the Parkhead number 1 slot is concerned.
Joe Hart rightly holds the gloves currently. Benjamin Siegrist appears to be dealing with an injury of late and Scott Bain has stepped up to the substitute bench as match day cover. From the Celtic B team young Tobi Oluwayemi is spending the rest of this season on loan at Cork City while Conor Hazard has ended his loan in Finland with HJK Helsinki and is back with the Hoops squad again until his contract expires in May.
Even just with that mix of players there are question marks and decisions for Postecoglou to make for the future. Hart will be 36 going into next season and although goalkeepers do carry on performing till an older age compared to outfield players, his time as number one might be limited. It’s important to make that transition at the right time, before it becomes obviously needed on the pitch.
But there’s an additional factor to add into the mix. Greek international Vasilis Barkas had a tough time after he signed for the Hoops in summer of 2020 for a £5 million transfer fee from AEK Athens. The keeper didn’t impress at all between the posts. He was sent out on loan in the summer.
£5 million player will make Celtic return next summer
There looked to be no way back for Barkas as far as Celtic were concerned and a loan deal to FC Utrecht last summer looked a good way for the player to rebuild confidence, form and indeed his career.
Barkas has taken that chance with both hands and earned a regular starting spot for the Eredivisie side. But a permanent move to FC Utrecht seems to be out of the question. As reported by the Daily Record, the Dutch club’s technical director Jordy Zuidam said:
"“We have to talk about realistic purchase options. A club like FC Utrecht, which cannot afford huge transfer amounts, has to be creative. By loaning players first, we buy time. Vasilis Barkas will return to Celtic and he is too expensive for FC Utrecht.”"
It would seem highly unlikely that Barkas will make a return between the Parkhead posts. But his return to form does make things interesting.