As Paul Caddis hangs up his boots today, it is worth looking back at his Open Goal interview talking about his career. One of his best stories relates to Artur Boruc during his time at Paradise.
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?’
🎥⚽️| “Artur Boruc is away walking down Bridgeton on his own!” 😂
Paul Caddis talking to @siferry8 about his former teammate and @CelticFC goalie’s walk home after a game against @RangersFC
Full Interview TONIGHT @ 5PM w/ @WilliamHill pic.twitter.com/tCqsuCz1gs
— Open Goal (@opengoalsport) October 14, 2019
“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.
I actually worked for Celtic protect event during this I can remember it well.. he actually had Celtic gear on too. I worked in the car park at London road school parking players cars was awesome job HH