AEK Athens are interested in re-signing goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas on loan, according to reports in Greece.
Celtic have, though, turned down the approach as they don’t want to let the player leave on a temporary basis less than a year after paying £5m to sign the 26-year-old.
Barkas has had a nightmare first season at Parkhead, having been dropped twice for poor performances, but fans on Twitter are divided over whether the Greek international deserves to be given another chance:
Didn't make a single save, looked terrified and had no discernible goalkeeping traits. Dreadful signing.
— CwispyCwunch (@Richard_McKay_) April 3, 2021
Ye can't bring a new goalkeeper in to an ever-changing system. He was switching between centre halves and even between 3 and 4 at the back. How's a goalie meant to settle into that. No time to develop a relationship with a concrete back line. A think he can be a success still.
— Jesus of ML1 (@LordOfSeaAndSky) April 3, 2021
I always feel it’s the other way about if you have a strong commanding goalkeeper then the defenders feel more confident which improves their performance
— jack68 (@jackbhoy681) April 3, 2021
Definitely imagine If we’d just sold Petrov after his first bad season can’t just give up on players after one year especially when they’ve came during Covid
— the downturn (@DownturnThe) April 3, 2021
I agree.
Aside from the Goldson header at Parkhead there isn't 1 goal he's conceded that you would expect him to save.
The problem for me has been the defence in front of him.
— JC (@JC67CFC) April 3, 2021
I'm all for 2nd chances but I can't remember him making a single save or looking even vaguely like a keeper. And he's not exactly a kid. If we can get our money back for him then I'd take it. Happy to be wrong though.
— The Star Above The Crest (@DaithiAindrea) April 3, 2021
For me he has to start games now
— Pault1967 (@CrabbitCabbie) April 3, 2021
absolute non entity
— Tambo Unchained ??????? (@ThomasTambo) April 3, 2021
To be honest, if the Hoops can’t sell Barkas for a fee anywhere close to what they bought him for last summer, they might as well keep him and see if he can turn his fortunes around at the club.
It isn’t always easy coming into a new league and, it must be said, the defence that the keeper played in front of was just as much to blame for the club’s poor form. His future will, though, be decided by the Scottish club’s next manager.