Postecoglou willing to let out-of-favour keeper Barkas leave
Celtic are prepared to let forgotten goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas leave the club this month, with manager Ange Postecoglou admitting the Greek has struggled to settle in Glasgow.
Barkas has only played once for Celtic in the past five months since the arrival of Joe Hart and appears behind fellow reserve stopper Scott
Bain in the pecking order. The 27-year-old joined Celtic from AEK in his homeland in the summer of 2020 for £5 million, but his performances last season were underwhelming.
Greek and Turkish clubs have been linked with a move for Barkas, who is under contract until 2024, in the January window and Postecoglou says his future may be “elsewhere”.
"Vasilis is a hard worker,” Postecoglou said in an interview with a Greek TV station. “He tried to settle in, but it was difficult with Covid situation. But he is a hard worker. We will see what will happen at Celtic or elsewhere."
Meanwhile, Giorgios Giakoumakis still has the full belief of Postecoglou, with the Celtic boss tipping the striker to be a hit at the club.
Giakoumakis joined Celtic from VVV Venlo this summer, but the first part of his career in Scotland has been blighted by injuries.
The Greek forward is now back in training and expected to push for a first-team place in the second part of the season.
Despite the arrival of Japanese forward Daizen Maeda last month, Postecoglou is adamant that the 27-year-old, six-times capped target man will succeed at the club. He scored 26 goals in the Dutch top flight last season and has been backed to hit those heights again.
"I believe in Giorgos,” Postecoglou said. “He had a great season with Venlo last year. He came after pre-season and he was a bit unlucky. Celtic is a great opportunity for his career. You saw what happened with Georgios Samaras."
Postecoglou has also revealed which job would be a perfect end to his managerial career.
When the Greek-australian was asked if he harbours ambitions of managing the Greece national team, Postecoglou responded: "It would be perfect to end my career with the national team of Greece."