Rather than produce some flowery introduction I’ll cut to the chase and reproduce a fascinating insight into Artur Boruc’s Celtic career.
Throughout five years at Celtic he rarely spoke in public and when he did it wasn’t in the headline grabbing style of his performances.
Five years of mainly highs and occasional lows came to a halt in the summer when he left his Celtic team-mates behind to begin a new career in Serie A with Fiorentina.
The keeper was at the heart of three consecutive championships, two incredible Champions League campaigns and was there as the wheels came off spectacularly leading to the 4-0 shambles at St Mirren that cost Tony Mowbray his job.
Thanks to a mutual friend Video Celts plucked up the courage to ask Artur some searching questions and he didn’t disappoint with the honesty of his answers.
1) Video Celts: February 2007 Celtic lost out in extra-time to AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions Leagie- Milan went on to win the trophy.
Since then things have slipped downhill at Celtic. Did you feel that that night in the San Siro could have been the start of something special or was that as good as it’s likely to get for the club?
ARTUR BORUC: “We got into the last 16 the following season as well? In 2007 Milan won the title and I don’t think they were that much greater than us. You can’t expect a club with a smaller budget to challenge for the Champions League every season but I don’t think a club like Celtic should have the final 16 as the biggest level of success.
“Lesser clubs than Celtic have managed to get huge successes like Porto and Monaco both reached the final. People thought I was crazy when I used to say we were aiming to win by why not?
2) VC: Amongst the many images and memories of your time at Celtic two stand out. Going into the Celtic support to pick up a flag after losing at Rangers as league champions and wearing the Pope t-shirt after beating Rangers at Celtic Park. Did anyone within Celtic ever comment on these matters or ask you to be more low profile/less controversial?
AB “I never broke any laws at Celtic so what could someone say to me? I was enjoying successes with our fans is that such a big deal? It seemed it was to some people but I didn’t really care.
“If I took a flag and the Celtic fans hated me for it I’d be sorry but if anyone else was bothered I won’t lose sleep.
“The Pope T-shirt. Well I think sometimes the way people act to situations shows more for them than it did about me but everyone can have an opinion. I just don’t have to care about everyone’s opinion though and don’t expect them to be bothered about mine.”
3) VC: In March/Aprl 2008 Celtic lost 1-0 to Rangers at Ibrox then 1-0 at home to 10 man Motherwell. The fans were furious, the title looked lost, many supporters chanted Strachan GTF.
There were still two home games with Rangers to come but things looked bleak, at that point did you still believe that with the manager under fire and form poor that there was the strong characters in the dressing room to bounce back and make it 3-in-a-row?
AB: “I done an interview with Celtic Tv after that game verses Motherwell and told the fans we would win the league. I could see Rangers were not great and would drop points and believed if we’d win every game we’d win the title and we did luckily.
“You’re playing for Celtic. You can’t give up till it is over and there is no choice. I think most fans thought the same.
Artur Boruc official You Tube channel
…………………………………….CLICK HERE for page 2…………………………..
……………..CLICK HERE for page 2……….
what does it say on his tattoo ?
The one on his neck says, ‘addicted to’ then what, to me, looks like some kind of musical note/symbol.
The monkeys erse round his navel he’s had removed.
His neck tattoo says ‘Addicted to S’.
The ‘S’ i presume stands for Sex, or maybe Sucess. Or maybe even Skelping huns. Maybe.