Celtic transfer news: Vasilis Barkas hates being a goalkeeper and dreams of playing in top league
CELTIC transfer target Vasilis Barkas has revealed he hates being a goalkeeper and would rather play as a defender.
The Hoops have opened talks with AEK Athens over a deal to snap up the 26-year-old.
The ten-time capped Greece international is firmly on Celtic boss Neil Lennon's radar after his fine form for his club side.
Barkas was linked earlier this year with a £7m move to Roma after impressive displays for AEK.
And, in an interview just last month, he revealed that although he's enjoyed the plaudits for his performances in goals, he'd rather play as an outfield player.
He said: "I don't like playing as a goalkeeper. It's not fun to play in that position.
"If I had the choice I would play as a defender or as a midfielder.
"In fact, when I am training with Greece, I play left back in the practice sessions.
"I actually became a goalkeeper by mistake. I went for trials in Kolonos when I was a kid and the coach put me in goal because he had enough players, even though I was short then.
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"The pitch was a dirt surface and had no grass. I came back covered in cuts and bruises.
"But from there I got spotted and went to Atromitos for trials and I continued from there.
"Strikers are paid to score goals and my job is not to concede. But when you play at the top level, the feeling you had as a child is lost. You are paid for a purpose."
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And Barkas admitted he dreams of playing in a top league one day after the interest from Roma eventually evaporated.
He said: "There was nothing specific from Roma and there were other teams interested in me too. My father deals with that side of things.
"I am happy at AEK and I am not pushing for a transfer. I am already at a big team.
"If I went abroad, I would like to sign for a club in England, Germany or Italy. It wouldn't be an easy step but I would like to do it one day."