ARTUR Boruc, the goalkeeper who became a real fans’ favourite during his time at the club, is coming back to Celtic Park. The Polish internationalist has signed up for the Henrik’s Heroes v Lubo’s Legends match that takes place at Paradise on Sunday, May 28 in aid of Celtic FC Foundation (KO: 2pm).
Boruc, whose exploits in particular on UEFA Champions League nights and in Glasgow derby matches are fondly remembered by the Celtic support, will don the Hoops for a day as he travels up from his day job as goalkeeper for English Premier League side Bournemouth.
Speaking to the official Celtic website, he said: “I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been up to Glasgow many times since I’ve left but I have never been involved in any of the charity games at Celtic so I am excited about this.”
The goalkeeper was unaware that Celtic fans still sing his praises loudly at games. He said: “It’s fantastic that I’m remembered. I still have friends in Glasgow and I always talk to them about the club. Of course, I still follow the team and it so good to see how successful they are.”
The goalkeeper’s highlights reel at the club would be sensational. These moments of glory would include his saves in the penalty shoot-out against Spartak Moscow which helped Celtic progress to the group stages of the UEFA Champions League in 2007, scoring a penalty in a League Cup semi-final shoot-out against Dundee United in 2009, and, of course, that incredible penalty save from Louis Saha as the Hoops beat Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League at Celtic Park in 2006. But Boruc will not pick out any one save in particular.
“There are so many great moments,” he said of a Celtic career that ran from 2005 when he signed from Legia Warsaw until 2010 when he left for Fiorentina. “I loved the Champions League games and the matches against Rangers, in particular, so I don’t want to choose one moment. It was just incredible to play in that stadium and for the club.”
He never played with the captains of the charity event – Messrs Moravcik and Larsson – but he knows all about them.
“People at the club were always talking about them and I watched them both in highlights so I appreciate how good they were. It will be great to meet them,” he said.
And he is glad, too, that there will be a salute to the Lisbon Lions at the match.
“They are a big part of the Celtic family,” he said. “They were always around the ground and it was fantastic to get to know them. They will always be remembered and admired. Obviously, I know John Clark well as he was the kit manager and I look forward to seeing him again.
“It is important too that this is a charity match. This is a club with a big history and the charity side is a central part of that.”
Boruc joined the English Premier League when he signed for Southampton in 2012 before joining Bournemouth three years later, and he has also amassed 64 international caps for Poland, but part of him will always remain in Glasgow.
“I miss the atmosphere. It was incredible,” he said. It still is. He will be reminded loudly of that on May 28.
Sponsored by Dafabet and Utilita, Henrik’s Heroes versus Lubo’s Legends will take place at Celtic Park on Sunday, May 28, 2017, with a 2pm KO.
Tickets are on general sale, on a first come first served basis – maximum of 10 per person – priced at £12 for adults and £6 for concessions*.
Tickets are available to purchase online at www.celticfc.net, by calling 0871 226 1888** or by visiting the Celtic Ticket Office. Rail Seating does not apply to this match.
Premium tickets (£30) and corporate packages (£135) are also available by calling 0871 226 1888** (Option 4) or emailing [email protected]
Net proceeds of the game will be devoted to Celtic FC Foundation, a charity aiming to uphold and promote the founding principles of our football club. The four priorities are to improve health, promote equality, encourage learning and tackle poverty and the Foundation have a strong track record of delivering successful community-based projects.
Some of the funds will be used to extend existing projects such as the award-winning ‘Ability Counts’ – a project aimed at children and young people who live with Down’s Syndrome or Autism. We will also assist with Community Care for Dementia through a series of initiatives. Finally, we have partnered with Mary’s Meals to create The 67 Kitchens campaign which will see Celtic fans support the building of 67 school kitchens for children in the developing world and send emergency food aid to South Sudan and Syria.
* Concessions 65+/Under 16s.
** Calls cost 13p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge. Booking fees apply online and via our sales line.
