Has Forster surpassed Boruc? (poll)

It’s the question that would have attracted the ‘you’re having a laugh’ answer a year ago.

Is Fraser Forster playing better than Artur Boruc?

For the best part of three seasons the Pole, or the Holy Goalie as he became known as, was an inspiration to Gordon Strachan’s side.

At home but more so in Europe Boruc was in his pomp with some incredible performances at odds with his erratic life off the pitch.

With Poland he starred at the World Cup and European Championships backing up claims that he was among the best in the business before his form plunged and a transfer to Fiorentina beckoned.

Forster was Neil Lennon’s first choice to replace Boruc with the giant Geordie far from convincing in a new look Celtic defence despite being highly rated by Alan Thompson and Paul Lambert who had him on loan at Norwich.

If Forster hadn’t returned to Celtic for a second loan spell at the start of the 2011./12 season no tears would have been shed amid speculation that Shay Given was Lennon’s first choice keeper.

Forster’s return was barely celebrated but midway through last season he started to impose himself on the side emerging as one of the key characters that turned around a 15 point deficit into a title party.

Crucial saves against Rangers and Hearts paved the way for important victories as Celtic swept to the title with a £1.5m deal completed in the summer to make the move from Newcastle permanent.

An English audience first took note of the keeper as he performed admirably away to Helsingborgs as Celtic moved towards the group stages of the Champions League.

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In the away match with Spartak Moscow the Russian side’s second goal looked a poor one to lose but after 180 minutes against Barcelona Forster was one of the most talked about keepers’ in the game being named in UEFA’s team of the week for both matches with a dozen inspired instinctive saves.

Being the Celtic keeper in the SPL isn’t the most demanding of jobs but last night’s point blank save from a Colin Nish header showed Forster at his best as he kept Celtic in front with Lennon quick to recognise the worth of his keeper.

“We have seen it times and time again,” the Celtic boss said. “He got a big hand to the ball, and we were able to clear it. That could have changed the game but thankfully we were a able to keep a clean sheet and we go on to win the game with a superb individual goal from Hooper. “

Have your say in the Forster v Boruc debate, vote below and add your comments. The most recent memories are obviously the strongest, Forster’s displays against Barcelona are fresher than Boruc against Manchester United and AC Milan, on reflection add your thoughts as to the debate.

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