On-loan Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas played his part in helping FC Utrecht reach the quarter-finals of the KNVB Cup on Tuesday evening.
After securing a temporary move to the Eredivisie side in the summer, the 28-year-old has quickly become the club’s number-one goalkeeper.
This season, Barkas has made a total of 23 appearances in Holland, keeping eight clean sheets in the league and cup competitions [Transfermarkt].
The shot-stopper has been looking to kick-start his career once again, following a frustrating few years at Parkhead, after joining in the summer of 2020.
The Greek international appears to be enjoying his spell in the Dutch league and received a recall for his international squad last year.
On Tuesday evening, Barkas helped his side reach the quarter-finals stage of the KNVB Cup. as they ran out 2-1 winners over AZ Alkmaar in extra time.
After Utrecht took the lead just before the hour mark, it looked like a real possibility that the Celtic loanee could keep a clean sheet and see out a 1-0 victory.
However, on 86 minutes, the home side were given the opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot after a foul from defender Sean Klaiber.
Barkas looked like he was going to be the hero for Utrecht after the goalkeeper saved the strike from 12 yards with just minutes left to go in the game.
However, just moments after his penalty save, the ball was in the back of the net, as Jesper Karlsson made up for his mistake, scoring a half-volley in the next phase of play.
Although it might have looked like Barkas’ penalty save was all for nothing, his side did eventually go on to win the tie in extra-time, as Japanese forward Naoki Maeda produced the winner.
It seemed to be quite the eventual game for the goalkeeper, who was also on the receiving end of objects thrown onto the pitch by frustrated AZ Alkmaar supporters.
But ultimately, it would be the Celtic loanee who would have the last laugh as Utrecht reached the next round of the cup competition.
Vasilis Barkas appears to be enjoying spell in Holland which can only be good news for Celtic.
It would be fair to say that Vasilis Barkas didn’t have the best of times at Parkhead, which inevitably led to his loan exit in the summer.
His move to FC Utrecht gave the goalkeeper an opportunity to rebuild himself after a frustrating few years, and he now appears to be enjoying regular football.
Having secured his place as number one at Utrecht, the Greek international is clearly impressing to an extent in Holland.
Come the summer transfer window, the Dutch club may be interested in signing the shot-stopper on a permanent basis after a strong season between the sticks.
Currently, there isn’t believed to be an option to buy in the initial loan deal. So, negotiations will need to take place with the Hoops hierarchy.
His performances out on loan may have also caught the eye of other clubs. So, it should be interesting to see what happens in the summer.
For now, I am sure he will be focused on continuing to play first-team football with FC Utrecht.
In other news, Report: Celtic take confident Ange Postecoglou stance to brief Leeds United link.
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