Celtic and Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc has recently added another Scottish Premier League title to his medals collection. Cian Guckian profiles the charismatic and controversial player
As Glasgow Celtic’s number one – and the safest pair of hands in the Scottish Premier League by far – Artur Boruc is a keeper in both senses of the word. But the 27-year-old has been known to come unstuck at critical times, and has also shown a nasty streak which was so evidently witnessed during the Celtic–Rangers match in August 2006, when Boruc was cautioned by Strathcldye Police for breaching the peace by making gestures in front of the Rangers supporters in the Old Firm clash.
According to the Sunday Herald: “Police reports highlighted three hand gestures which were made by Boruc: a V-sign at the crowd, another obscene gesture at the crowd and a blessing.” Many witnesses described Boruc smiling and laughing at a Rangers section of the crowd and making ‘come on’ gestures towards them. This action appeared to incense some of the spectators, who reacted in such a way that police and security personnel had to intervene to calm the situation. The police reported that it took 10 minutes to restore normality to the crowd.
But despite such controversy in his history, Polish supporters believe that Artur Boruc is definitely a safe pair of hands – his spectacular penalty save against Manchester United’s Louis Saha in the group stages of the Champions League in Celtic Park is evidence of this.
Warsaw native Nadia Saskovich believes that Boruc is the best goalkeeper around. “He is a great goalkeeper, and he always gives 110 per cent commitment all the time,” she says. “He played with my home side in Warsaw, Legia Warszawa. He gave 110 per cent when he played with them and he has given Celtic and the international side that much needed push to qualify for the European finals. He is a fantastic goalkeeper.”
Sebastien Mirkov from Krakov feels that Boruc doesn’t have the same flair as Jerzy Dudek had while he was the Polish number one or when lining out for Liverpool, but he is still a world-class goalkeeper all the same. “Boruc is a world-class goalie who has won the Scottish League title again with Celtic, and that says a lot about his mentality. He performed very well in the World Cup, when [the team as a whole] should have done a lot better, it has to be said. To be fair he was our best player throughout the World Cup.”
Boruc often comes top of Polish fans’ favourite players lists, and his supporters hope that he remains with the Scottish giants instead of moving to Italy to make it big with either AC or Inter Milan who have been keen on signing the Polish international.
The Celtic shot-stopper was even hailed as a hero last month when he rescued a pregnant Polish woman from a racist gang. Boruc intervened to save 27-year-old Magda Kucko, who was due to give birth within days, after she was attacked by three thugs with two snarling Dobermans.
The gang of two men and a woman taunted Kucko with vile racist abuse before assaulting her as she walked through a Glasgow park with her sister and brother-in-law. By chance, Boruc was also walking close by and he stepped in to confront the gang. The big-hearted star also insisted on driving Kucko, whose baby was due, to hospital in his car.
Kucko later that “Artur is a very brave man… I cannot bear to think what might have happened if he had not been there for us. We will never forget his courage.”
Boruc played down his courage, claiming: “I am not a hero. I just did what any ordinary person would have done.” One Polish supporter said: “That is Boruc all over – always there in time of need.''
Boruc has appeared 20 times for the Polish national side. He was selected to the 23-man squad for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany and was the team’s first choice keeper throughout the tournament, despite battling with Tomasz Kuszczak for the starting slot. Boruc’s performances on such a grand stage for world soccer were some of Poland’s few successes during in the tournament.
But the World Cup is in the past, and both Poland and Boruc have other goals in sight. He is totally committed and focused – determined to keeping as many clean sheets as possible, be it for club or country – and this is why Polish supporters hold Boruc in such high regard. He is the man who may hold the key to clinch Poland’s qualification for the European Championship.
Damian Sasiak is one Polish fan who believes that Boruc is a national hero: “He is a role model for all Polish people living abroad. He has a strong character and he is very decisive. He is very loyal to his employer, faithful to his club, confident of what he is doing in goal.
“Boruc is a very modest person. He is the main organiser of meetings with supporters of the Legia Warsaw. and during these meetings he talks not only about the big world of football but also about normal life. He talks about famous football matches between Celtic and Manchester United [as if they were] normal events.
“I would like all Polish people working abroad to be like Artur Boruc in their behaviour. This is not only my opinion but also the opinion of other Polish fans of football.”
Poland’s inspirational goalkeeper has undeniably risen in soccer fans’ perceptions, both in Poland and in Scotland. Supporters of the red and white hope that he can keep it going throughout the European Championship qualifiers, and guide Poland to the tournament.
Let’s hope his good run continues.
According to the Sunday Herald: “Police reports highlighted three hand gestures which were made by Boruc: a V-sign at the crowd, another obscene gesture at the crowd and a blessing.” Many witnesses described Boruc smiling and laughing at a Rangers section of the crowd and making ‘come on’ gestures towards them. This action appeared to incense some of the spectators, who reacted in such a way that police and security personnel had to intervene to calm the situation. The police reported that it took 10 minutes to restore normality to the crowd.
But despite such controversy in his history, Polish supporters believe that Artur Boruc is definitely a safe pair of hands – his spectacular penalty save against Manchester United’s Louis Saha in the group stages of the Champions League in Celtic Park is evidence of this.
Warsaw native Nadia Saskovich believes that Boruc is the best goalkeeper around. “He is a great goalkeeper, and he always gives 110 per cent commitment all the time,” she says. “He played with my home side in Warsaw, Legia Warszawa. He gave 110 per cent when he played with them and he has given Celtic and the international side that much needed push to qualify for the European finals. He is a fantastic goalkeeper.”
Sebastien Mirkov from Krakov feels that Boruc doesn’t have the same flair as Jerzy Dudek had while he was the Polish number one or when lining out for Liverpool, but he is still a world-class goalkeeper all the same. “Boruc is a world-class goalie who has won the Scottish League title again with Celtic, and that says a lot about his mentality. He performed very well in the World Cup, when [the team as a whole] should have done a lot better, it has to be said. To be fair he was our best player throughout the World Cup.”
Boruc often comes top of Polish fans’ favourite players lists, and his supporters hope that he remains with the Scottish giants instead of moving to Italy to make it big with either AC or Inter Milan who have been keen on signing the Polish international.
The Celtic shot-stopper was even hailed as a hero last month when he rescued a pregnant Polish woman from a racist gang. Boruc intervened to save 27-year-old Magda Kucko, who was due to give birth within days, after she was attacked by three thugs with two snarling Dobermans.
The gang of two men and a woman taunted Kucko with vile racist abuse before assaulting her as she walked through a Glasgow park with her sister and brother-in-law. By chance, Boruc was also walking close by and he stepped in to confront the gang. The big-hearted star also insisted on driving Kucko, whose baby was due, to hospital in his car.
Kucko later that “Artur is a very brave man… I cannot bear to think what might have happened if he had not been there for us. We will never forget his courage.”
Boruc played down his courage, claiming: “I am not a hero. I just did what any ordinary person would have done.” One Polish supporter said: “That is Boruc all over – always there in time of need.''
Boruc has appeared 20 times for the Polish national side. He was selected to the 23-man squad for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany and was the team’s first choice keeper throughout the tournament, despite battling with Tomasz Kuszczak for the starting slot. Boruc’s performances on such a grand stage for world soccer were some of Poland’s few successes during in the tournament.
But the World Cup is in the past, and both Poland and Boruc have other goals in sight. He is totally committed and focused – determined to keeping as many clean sheets as possible, be it for club or country – and this is why Polish supporters hold Boruc in such high regard. He is the man who may hold the key to clinch Poland’s qualification for the European Championship.
Damian Sasiak is one Polish fan who believes that Boruc is a national hero: “He is a role model for all Polish people living abroad. He has a strong character and he is very decisive. He is very loyal to his employer, faithful to his club, confident of what he is doing in goal.
“Boruc is a very modest person. He is the main organiser of meetings with supporters of the Legia Warsaw. and during these meetings he talks not only about the big world of football but also about normal life. He talks about famous football matches between Celtic and Manchester United [as if they were] normal events.
“I would like all Polish people working abroad to be like Artur Boruc in their behaviour. This is not only my opinion but also the opinion of other Polish fans of football.”
Poland’s inspirational goalkeeper has undeniably risen in soccer fans’ perceptions, both in Poland and in Scotland. Supporters of the red and white hope that he can keep it going throughout the European Championship qualifiers, and guide Poland to the tournament.
Let’s hope his good run continues.
