What Giorgios Samaras told Vasilis Barkas to sell him on Celtic

New Celtic keeper Vasilis Barkas gets to know the home dressing room. Picture: SNS Group

New Greek keeper sets sights on long stay in Glasgow

Celtic supporters were hardly universally supportive of what Georgios Samaras contributed to the club’s cause across a wildly fluctuating seven-year stint in Scotland. But after crying out for a pedigree keeper as it became apparent there was to be no return for Fraser Forster, they can thank Samaras for answering the call.

The call in question was the one that Vasilis Barkas put into the big forward, now retired and vice-president at OFI Crete. It proved decisive in the 26-year-old Greek international deciding to commit himself to a four-year deal with the Scottish champions, his £5 million move from AEK Athens finalised yesterday. Now, Barkas wants to enjoy the highs Samaras did following his move to Glasgow in 2007; the steepest proving the pivotal role he played in the club’s run to the last 16 of the Champions League in 2012.

“I was able to speak to him because one of my very good friends plays for OFI, and has a very good relationship with him,” said Barkas.

“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.

“But 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. I know that 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.”

Barkas, who remembers the Parkhead atmosphere as “something very special” from when he was part of the AEK side which stymied Celtic’s attempts to reach the group stages two years ago, believes that all his career aspirations can be served in Glasgow. Even when he is aiming for pre-eminence in his field.

“I want to stay here a long time, a lot of years, and to become the best goalkeeper,” he added.

“When you are the best goalkeeper at Celtic you are automatically one of the best in Europe and in the world.

“It’s one of the biggest teams in the world so you become one of the biggest goalkeepers in my opinion.”