Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc has declared himself as a fan of the club for life, saying he will return to cheer on the team long after he retires from football.
The 29-year-old Poland international has become a cult hero at Parkhead since he signed from Legia Warsaw in 2005 and has remained with the club despite overtures from English Premier League clubs down the years.
Having tasted success with the Glasgow club, the colourful Boruc – who is currently sidelined after undergoing knee surgery – says that he is proud to play for Tony Mowbray’s team and that his time in Scotland has changed his life.
“I feel proud to have represented Celtic for so many years,” said Boruc. "Celtic is now a part of me. I look upon myself as a Celtic supporter.
"Joining Celtic has had a massive impact on my own life as well. It has changed my life in so many ways. A lot has happened in the last years and I will always have a strong connection with the club.”
With several years in top flight football still ahead of him, talk of Boruc hanging up his gloves and then following the team up and down the country is some way off yet. But the goalkeeper already has his sights set on taking his seat amongst the Celtic support and indulging in the various facets of a matchday from a fan’s perspective.
"Celtic mean a lot to me and I look forward to coming back to watch the team when I am an old man,” he said.
"I will travel to an away game, have a few drinks with the fans and then cheer on the team in the stands. I would love that. It would be really nice."
In his four years with Celtic, Boruc has picked up three Scottish Premier League titles, a Scottish Cup winners’ medal and two Co-operative Insurance Cup winners’ medals. Despite his array of accolades, he rates winning the Co-operative Cup against Rangers last campaign as his all-time highlight.
He said: "I have won a few trophies for Celtic now and I think winning the Co-operative Insurance League Cup last season was one of the best.
"We were playing Rangers and I don't know if there's a better feeling than beating them in the final and getting to lift a trophy after it. All the trophies mean a lot to me though.
"Winning the League Cup in 2006 was special because it was my first trophy and all the SPL titles have been good too.
"When I came here, I was desperate to win the league and the cups and it's a great feeling to manage it.
"That's why you play for Celtic - to be successful and be the best side in Scotland."
