Boruc Signs Through 2011

By: JT | January 7th, 2008

Despite the fact that Celtic did not take the pitch this weekend, there was significant news for the club. No, it wasn’t that Rangers snatched top spot in the SPL from the Bhoys, though that should light a fire under someone’s butt.

Artur Boruc, Celtic’s world-class Polish international keeper has signed a contract extension that will keep him plying the trade at Celtic Park through 2011.

This is a superb development, because it has seemed inevitable that the Holy Goalie was close to the exit door in the last few months. Rumors of big money moves to Arsenal and Milan have abounded, and Boruc has wondered aloud how FIFA’s ruling on the Andy Webster case might hasten his departure from Celtic. All of that is in the past now, and Boruc is set to wear the green-and-white (or yellow if you prefer) for at least three and a half more seasons.

Conventional football wisdom says that the 27 year old Pole is just heading into the prime of his career as a keeper, but its hard to imagine how he could get much better. He saved Celtic’s Champions League hide this summer against Spartak Moskva in a penalty shoot out. He’s singlehandedly won matches both domestically and in Europe since he took over the job during the 05-06 campaign. He’s a player with great character and leadership abilities, making him an essential element in the dressing room. And the supporters adore him because he symbolizes the club in so many ways.

The primary issue this resolves is who the keeper will be going forward. Its also prevents the club from getting into a situation where they have to choose between a £10m plus bid and losing a player the caliber of Boruc in the middle of trying to become competitive with Europe’s best. Make no mistake, it would be a painful decision, but its hard to imagine a club with limited financial capabilities in comparison to some of the British and continental giants turning a sum like that down.

Additionally, it sends a message of intent to the rest of football that Celtic are going to do everything in their power to keep their prime assets while developing the best Scottish and Irish talent around. Refusing to merely be a club in a smaller league who has no choice but to feed players to the bigger leagues is the kind of attitude that I like to see emanating from the corridors of Celtic Park.

What this means for backup keeper Mark Brown, I really don’t know. He’s only been at Celtic Park for a year and it looks like he won’t be the #1 for quite some time. He’s gotten a taste of the big time in the Champions League qualifiers and in the SPL, so he can’t be looking to be Boruc’s backup forever. I’d think he’s examining his options right now.

In the end, the determination on display from Celtic’s boardroom, and the loyalty that Boruc has shown to the club that gave him his break are truly impressive. King Artur’s legend in Hoops is only set to grow.