Gloating Ibrox fans were all over a Tweet from Radio Clyde about Neil Lennon’s decision to play Vasilis Barkas in Saturday’s Glasgow Derby.
After sitting out six matches the former AEK Athens keeper was back in the Celtic side that defeated Dundee United 3-0. Managers like to talk about taking things ‘one game at a time’ but yesterday’s decision was clearly taken with Ibrox in mind.
Conor Hazard has made his debut, picked up a Scottish up winner’s medal but with the Derby in mind Lennon has opted for experience with Barkas handed the gloves after spells as understudy to Scott Bain and Hazard in recent months.
Celtic’s defence went through a nightmare spell from mid October to mid December with changes in players and formation but with a change to the midfield shape things have tightened up considerably but the loss of three goals to Hearts in the Scottish Cup Final is still fresh in the mind.
The focus is now on Barkas, a clean sheet on Saturday and his Celtic career is up and running, a home win and storm clouds return with the summer Recruitment again back in the spotlight.
?”He’s come in as number one & I want him to play”
Neil Lennon says Vasilis Barkas will start for Celtic at Ibrox. pic.twitter.com/5VgJsiDslC
— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) December 30, 2020
We all want him to play
— c (@govanfrontred) December 30, 2020
A Barkas masterclass on Saturday incoming. Waits for bites ?
— Ismaila Soro Ballon d’Or 2021 (@DylanIsOnFire) December 30, 2020
Don’t forget the 12 trophies on the bounce laddie ??????????? ? ?
— Adrian? (@AdrianClarke74) December 30, 2020
Put Duffy in front of him aswell
— Andrew h (@andrewh1812) December 30, 2020
Play him at the weekend Lenny ?????????
— Wilson (@VolleyBaws) December 30, 2020
It’s beyond him. He doesn’t even want to be a goalie ffs ?
— ian (@ia9mc) December 30, 2020
Celtic have found their form, there is yer bad news.
— S/Ean (@TheSPC2001) December 30, 2020