Artur Boruc has at least one fan in the shape of one of his predecessors in the Celtic goal, Peter Latchford. He says Boruc appears to be back on top form and could play for any club in Europe if he remains on top of his game. Boruc hit the headlines on and off the field for all the wrong reasons last season but Latchford hopes he has put his troubles firmly behind him now. He said: "Artur hasn't had his troubles to seek, has he?. From a goalkeeping point of view he looks sharper and a lot more focused. I think that's got a lot to do with Stevie Woods coming in and changing things about. I know Stevie from old and I coached him so I know what he is capable of. He won't let Artur away with anything. I think Artur is also a little more focused personally, shall we say, and it's showing in his performances."
Latchford went on: "Last year, from what I can gather, wasn't a very good one for him personally off the park. But with a change of manager, change of coach, I think he has settled down a little bit and realises he's got to work hard at his game. He is being made to do that, I imagine, and Celtic will reap the benefits of that. He is a great keeper - I think he is one of the top five in Europe easily. I think he is a bit settled here and has been talking in the papers about possibly signing a new contract, which would be great for the club. I firmly believe, when he is on the top of his game, he could walk into any of the top sides in Europe. If he stays here, it's a bonus for Celtic."
Latchford knows what it takes to be the centre of attention when he for Celtic in the 1970s and 80s. Blame for a goal can weigh heavily on the 'keepers shoulders. Latchford believes having fellow Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska at Parkhead this season is also helping Boruc keep on top of his game. He said: "He is getting a little more competition as well and I think he has realised he is not going to be an automatic choice. It seemed last year, no matter what he did, that he would be playing anyway and he certainly got up to a few things both on and off the park. But that's just the way it is, keepers are daft really and not the most sensible people and I say that from experience. To me, he has got over that blip and is training hard and working hard and Celtic will reap the benefits." | Editor
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