Celtic careers of Bain and £4.5m teammate are over after ‘big surprise’ I ‘didn’t see coming’ – McAvennie
Frank McAvennie has admitted he never thought Scott Bain or Vasilis Barkas would play for Celtic again as both players featured over the festive period.
The former Hoops hitman, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, was disappointed to see Joe Hart miss two games over Christmas.
On 22 December, Ange Postecoglou told Glasgow Times that none of the players who missed that day’s game against St Mirren were rested.
This would suggest Hart, 34 has picked up an injury.
Bain played against St Mirren while £4.5million capture Barkas came in for the Boxing Day game against St Johnstone.
McAvennie admitted he was surprised to see both players start for Celtic again.
“Well those two playing was a big surprise for me, I didn’t see it coming,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“I honestly thought I would never see them playing for Celtic again.
“Neither of them are a patch on Joe, we know that. Joe has been brilliant ever since he came through the door.
“He has been a big reason for our improvement. He has to be the first name on the teamsheet every week.
“I guess this has been a chance to see both players for the first time in a while.
“Is it a shop window thing? Maybe. But I would be very surprised if either player played for us again now.”
Hart has made 30 appearances for the Hoops since joining from Tottenham last summer (2021).
He has kept 14 clean sheets in all competitions and conceded 29 goals.
In other news, a club insider has revealed Celtic are well placed to seal a £2.5m signing which is ‘a brilliant deal for everyone’.