The Holy Goalie’s Bridgeton Adventure plus his Best Bits playing for Celtic

In Paul Caddis’ ‘Open Goal’ interview with Si Ferry, the former-Celt described Artur Boruc as an “Unbelievable goalie”. However, the right-back described how the Polish stopper decided to saunter out of Celtic Park towards Bridgeton, one of the most notorious Rangers areas in Glasgow causing the Celtic security team to scramble their resources together to protect against potential flash-points.

After losing in his debut at Ibrox, 3-1, Boruc kept a clean sheet as Gordon Strachan’s side won 3-0 to extend their lead to fifteen points. Although it was after the match that saw there more likelihood of a Rangers attack troubling the eccentric goalie after he decided to stretch his legs. Here Caddis recalls what it was like to be there on the day.

“I remember the first time he played Rangers at Celtic Park and – remember after you played you used to go to Gate Two and wait on your car coming round – well everyone was rushing out of Gate Two and I thought ‘what’s going on here?’

“Somebody had radioed up to security and said Artur Boruc was walking through Bridgeton on his own. Straight after an Old Firm game!

“So they jumped down in a minibus and got him. He didn’t know but he didn’t care.”

Boruc, who signed from Legia Warsaw in 2005, was nicknamed the ‘Holy Goalie’ by supporters due to the fact he blessed himself before he entered the goal, which obviously upset Rangers supporters for some reason. Here are a few of the ‘keeper’s best moments in a Celtic shirt which include that brilliant penalty save against Louis Saha in the Champions League and countless brave saves.

However, here is the sensational moment that the Holy Goalie grabbed a ‘Champions’ flag out the Free Broomloan and decided to run it along back to the tunnel, winding up those that remained in Ibrox.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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