---
title: "Celtic: Neil Lennon backs Vasilios Barkas following recent criticism"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/neil-lennon-backs-vasilios-barkas-after-criticism/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Seychell"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2020-10-24T17:10:11Z"
modified: "2020-10-24T17:10:11Z"
---

# Celtic: Neil Lennon backs Vasilios Barkas following recent criticism

**Celtic have endured [two damaging defeats](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/spielplandatum/verein/371) in the past seven days, with [Vasilios Barkas](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/tottenham-scouts-spotted-watching-aek-athens-duo/) among the Hoops players coming under fire.**

He has been criticised during the Milan game by [Michael Stewart](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/54603893) and also in the Old Firm derby by former Scotland international [Alan Hutton.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-alan-hutton-discusses-fraser-forster-following-old-firm-loss/)

However one man not criticising him is Hoops manager Neil Lennon, and he spoke to the media about the [Greek international](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fraser-forster/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/52570) following the last few games.

### Lennon defends Vasilios Barkas

Speaking about Barkas to the [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/neil-lennon-urges-celtic-stars-22892065), Lennon said, “Goalkeeper is a specialist position. I’m not criticising him.

“I think he can improve and will improve as he goes along. I think it’s unfair to criticise one player after a difficult couple of games. I’m not going to do that.”

### Vasilios Barkas’ time so far at Celtic

The 26-year-old arrived in the summer and had a hard act to follow as the replacement for Fraser Forster. The Englishman is [adored](https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-news-transfers-fraser-forster-18520187) at Parkhead after having two successful spells at the club, where he has played 236 games, conceded only 185 goals and kept 118 clean sheets, ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fraser-forster/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/52570)).

So far, Barkas has played 14 times for the Hoops in all competitions and conceded 11 goals, whilst keeping eight clean sheets as Lennon’s first-choice ‘keeper [(Transfermarkt)](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/vasilis-barkas/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/248658/plus/0?saison=2020&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=). This is a decent return but he needs to step up in the big games if he wants to emulate Forster – something he has yet to do as he picked up a 5.8 rating against AC Milan and a 6.5 rating against Glasgow Rangers ([SofaScore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/vasilis-barkas/347726)).

These sub-par performances are not what the Hoops need in big games. Forster, on the other hand, [shone](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/dec/08/rangers-celtic-scottish-league-cup-final-match-report) for the Hoops on the big occasions, like his [man of the match performance](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/dec/08/rangers-celtic-scottish-league-cup-final-match-report) in the Betfred Cup final last season.

Criticism of Barkas is somewhat justified, but Lennon is right to defend him as it is his [debut campaign](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fraser-forster/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/52570) in Scotland. His statistics are decent but he now needs to come to the fore on the big occasion in order to win over his critics.

***Celtic fans, have a read of our other articles on the club [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/)!***