During the summer Chris Sutton identified signing Fraser Forster as Celtic transfer priority.
The Southampton keeper had come in on loan back in August 2019 and had an outstanding campaign- highlighted by his displays in the Betfred Cup Final and home and away against Lazio in the Europa League.
When Celtic returned for pre-season training in June Forster was still on board even though there would be no matches until August.
Somewhere down the line things broke down with the anticipated deal for the keeper falling through leaving Celtic with Scott Bain as first choice going into pre-season matches in France and the start of the season.
David Marshall was strongly linked with a return to Celtic but in the end Vasilis Barkas, a Greek international from AEK Athens was signed for a fee reported to be around £4.5m.
Barkas may be the unluckiest keeper in the world, following Forster was a big ask but for whatever reasons Bain and Forster have had spells in goals this season with Sutton believing that signing a keeper has to be Celtic’s priority during the January window.
The former hoops striker told the Daily Record:
We talk about pressure on Neil Lennon and of course there is, but what about the pressure on Nicky Hammond? The fact you look at the situation where Celtic have signed a goalkeeper [Barkas] for millions of pounds who hasn’t made a save this season.
Jullien is a massive loss, but the fact Celtic don’t have a keeper of authority leaves them extremely vulnerable. I think Celtic can make do [without a new centre-half]. I’m not saying it’s perfect but the position they can’t make do with is a goalkeeper.
It’s probably sickening for Celtic fans watching Fraser Forster keep a clean sheet for Southampton against Liverpool on Tuesday with his presence and authority. It’s a priority position.
It’s been interesting this season with the chopping and changing. He’s my No.1, now he’s my No.1. We’ve had Conor Hazard, Scott Bain. Barkas was chopped and now he’s back in. There’s nothing to suggest that somehow their form is going to be good enough to warrant playing in goal.
It’s been a waste of money on Barkas. What have we seen to make us think he’s going to turn it around? If he does, good luck to him but I just don’t see it, so bringing in a keeper is the priority in January and also hanging onto what he’s got.
Barkas is under contract until June 2024.