Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Vasilis Barkas fires veiled Celtic 'trust' jibe as flop holds burning Utrecht permanent transfer desire

Celtic flop Vasilis Barkas admits he found a team that "trusted" him on his loan at Urtecht as he left the door open for a permanent transfer to Holland.

Barkas failed during his time at Celtic after his big money £4.5million move from AEK Athens in 2020 and was quickly replaced by Joe Hart as number one after Ange Postecoglou's arrival in Glasgow's east end. Things don't look like they will get any better for the Greece international when he returns at the end of the campaign with Hart, Scott Bain and Benjamin Siegrist ahead of him in the pecking order - with the Australian planning to get his squad ready for an assault on the Champions League next term.

Utrecht hold an option to buy in the 28-year-old's loan agreement and could bring an end to his nightmare spell in the Scottish Premiership this summer - and reflected on his "difficult" spell in Glasgow's east end as he prepares to return to Celtic Park at the end of the Dutch league season. Asked about the difference between Celtic and Utrecht, he told Greek outlet Gazetta: "It was difficult for me.

"I was at Celtic during a Covid period, I went back to Holland and found a different mentality. There are also several Greeks here. I also have Tasos Douvikas (Utrecht teammate). The team trusted me and helped me get over myself."

Pressed on where he sees his future, Barkas responded: “I definitely like Holland. My family is happy here. My wife and child. I have one more month and then we'll see what happens."

READ NEXT

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.