Celtic’s Greek tragedy continues as Vasilis Barkas howler against FC Midtjylland denies Hoops victory in UCL qualifier

CELTIC will hope Evander hasn’t landed a Champions League knockout punch.

But once again Vasilis Barkas was left on the ropes in the Hoops goal.

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Vasilis Barkas had a howler for FC Midtjylland’s equaliserCredit: PA

The Brazilian’s free-kick equaliser for Midtjylland got worse for the Greek keeper with every repeat.

Handed a fresh start by Ange Postecoglou after a nightmare debut season, Barkas had started to look more assured.

Yet when Celtic needed him with this game on a knife-edge, he made an awful attempt to keep out Evander’s strike..

Barkas is that rarity in football – a goalkeeper who never seems to make a meaningful save.

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Ange Postecoglou puts an arm round Barkas at full-timeCredit: Getty

Postecoglou has a long transfer wishlist but had seemed content with the £4.5million man for the time being.

Well, surely that’s changed now. If Fraser Forster is available, go get him. 

The Barkas howler came just as ten-man Celtic looked ready to kill off ten-man Midtjylland.

Nir Bitton and Anders Dreyer had their own ‘Who can get the stupidest red card’ contest – but Celtic were on top.

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Odsonne Edouard should have made it 2-0 but finished like a man whose heart isn’t really in it.

That wouldn’t have mattered had Barkas done his job up the other end but his Celtic horror show continues.

At least it all made for decent entertainment for the 9,000 fans who were back at Parkhead for a competitive game after 500 days.

They should all know by now that these Champions League qualifiers are never straightforward.

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Nir Bitton received a second yellow after an altercation with Anders DreyerCredit: Reuters

Celtic always make it difficult and a combination of Bitton’s madness and Barkas’ flakiness means they’ll have to produce a big result in Denmark.

There were positives for Postecoglou as he made his competitive bow in the Parkhead dugout.

Ryan Christie, Ismaila Soro and Stephen Welsh were all excellent. Dane Murray was strong after replacing Bitton.

Then there is the new Celtic captain – Callum McGregor.

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Ryan Christie was livelyCredit: Reuters

It’s just an elasticated piece of yellow material – but the Celtic armband can weigh too heavily on a lot of players. 

Judging by this performance, McGregor will be a proper leader for Postecoglou.

From a pumped-up Huddle pep-talk to his all-action display, it’s easy to see why he was chosen as Celtic’s new captain.

McGregor will never be another Scott Brown. He doesn’t snarl or go in for the wind-ups.

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Callum McGregor shone on his first competitive match as Celtic skipperCredit: The Sun

What he does do is lead by example. He’s a machine physically and conducts himself with class.

In fact, when Bitton reflects on his own night of madness he should really have a look at how McGregor goes about his business.

From kick off, the Celtic midfielder was everywhere. When they went down to ten men, he was the one bringing the team together.

He struck the bar in the second half and clocked up the miles with another tireless shift.

McGregor was a standout, as Postecoglou picked the best team he could under the circumstances.

Celtic need players badly but the Aussie gaffer was still able to call on experience. 

New £3.5million man Liel Abada was also thrown in on the right wing and scored on his competitive debut. 

It was what was behind them that seemed to be the problem as Postecoglou patched up a defence.

Tony Ralston was fourth-choice right-back at the start of last season. Welsh is still learning.

Then there was Bitton. A man who always seems to answer Champions League defensive emergencies.

This time he caused one.

His game was almost over after seven minutes after he was clattered by Midtjylland striker Junior Brumado.

It was a naughty one by the big Brazilian. In the VAR world, it could have been a red.

Bitton needed stitches and was out of action for almost ten minutes.

That led to the comical sight of tiny Soro playing centre half. But hey, he even won a header.

The first 20 minutes was x-rated as Ralston, not the most graceful of players, took some bodies.

He accidentally caught Raphael Onyedika with a trailing arm and left his face covered in blood.

Then Ralston absolutely scythed down Pione Sisto but somehow escaped a booking.

Bitton wasn’t so lucky as he picked up the two yellows to completely let his team-mates down.

His first was due to bad positioning and a lack of pace as he tripped Brumado. 

The second? Inexplicable. Beyond stupid.

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Dreyer did go down too easily under his challenge but why get involved?

Why ask him for a square go and jab a daft finger in his face when you are on a booking.

Referee Sandro Scharer was a flaky presence but he was 100 per cent right to send Bitton off.

Celtic had 50-plus minutes to play with ten but at least they were 1-0 up as some football broke out on the Parkhead battlefield. 

Liel Abada’s opener had been coming as Midtjylland’s goal led a charmed life for a spell.

He was a growing threat on the right and he was in the right place at the right time when Christie’s shot was parried out.

Reds for Bitton and the diving Dreyer changed the game but Celtic should have had enough to see it out.

Then came the Greek tragedy.

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