SOLD ON CELTIC
Barkas switched to champions on Samaras’ advice
VASILIS BARKAS has revealed how Georgios Samaras sold him on a £5million move to Celtic.
The Greek international goalkeeper has signed a four-year deal with Scotland’s champions — a move first revealed by
Sportsmail on July 3. And the 26-year-old admitted he sought the counsel of former Parkhead strike favourite and countryman Samaras before agreeing to leave AEK Athens. ‘I spoke with Samaras before I came to Celtic,’ revealed Barkas.
‘I have a very good friend who is close with Samaras and has a very good relationship with him.
‘He just said: “Go, don’t even think about it”. He told me how Celtic was a very big team and the fans loved the team so much and were crazy about the team. That made my decision easier. I already knew Celtic were a very big
team and club with great fans and a great stadium which has a good atmosphere. ‘I think all the players want to play for Celtic. But it was good to speak to Samaras.’ Currently sporting director of OFI Crete, Samaras and Barkas have a mutual acquaintance who acted as a go-between. Admitting he would love to follow the success his countryman enjoyed in Glasgow, the 6ft 5in keeper said: ‘Before me, he is the only Greek player to play for Celtic, so I hope to have the same career here that he did because I know he was successful. I want to become a big player here like he was. ‘I remember he played in the last 16 of the Champions League with Celtic and I’m ready to do the same. I want to help take Celtic as far as possible in the Champions League.’ Before four rounds of Champions League qualifiers get underway, the Premiership champions will unfurl a ninth successive championship flag before Sunday’s home curtain-raiser with Hamilton. Barkas will train with his new team-mates today and tomorrow and feels ready to go straight into the starting line-up as Celtic begin the quest for ten in a row. ‘With two more days of training, yes I can play,’ he insisted. ‘I don’t feel pressure. ‘I feel comfortable with this and I want to do my job, keep clean sheets and help my team to win. ‘I’m so excited and can’t wait to train with my new team-mates and play my first game.’