Still no clarity on Vasilis Barkas mystery after he didn't travel with Celtic to Ross County

By John McGinley

February 26, 2021

Celtic supporters are still looking for an update on the status of goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas after his absence from the match squad against Ross County last Sunday night.

The Greek international has regularly been found on the bench of late, with Scott Bain reinstalled as the club’s number one goalkeeper.

However, last week it was Conor Hazard serving as the substitute option for Bain, with Barkas nowhere to be found in Dingwall.

Given the circumstances of the week, there’s been no word or report indicating what the situation is. The assumption right now is injury, but that hasn’t been confirmed.

Neil Lennon wasn’t asked about the player before or after the defeat to County and then wouldn’t face the media again before his resignation.

Interim boss John Kennedy wasn’t asked about the player in today’s media conference.

Greek journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos added an intriguing subplot around the same time, suggesting that Celtic were ready to move on from the Barkas experiment.

In two tweets, Chorianopoulos reported that the Bhoys were on the hunt for a new goalkeeper this summer and could send Barkas out on loan.

Barkas also hasn’t been spotted in any training pictures or videos this week from Lennoxtown. Unless I’ve missed him (feel free to comment below), there is simply no sign of the 2020 signing.

It’s a concerning situation given the money we spent to bring him to Scotland.

Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Lennon’s handling of it all was pretty abhorrent throughout the season, but now Kennedy is in charge, there’s been renewed hope he might come back into the team and be given a shot.

If he is injured, that won’t come tomorrow. If the club have decided he’s best to move on, that may not come at all.

In other news, Celtic-supporting band Mogwai are celebrating a UK number one album.