Don't jump ship Artur

Jul 6 2008 Scott Mcdermott

CELTIC legend Packie Bonner has urged Artur Boruc to ignore the lure of the Premiership and focus on becoming a Hoops hero for years to come.

The former Parkhead keeper knows clubs all over Europe will be looking to snap up the 28-year-old after his stunning displays for Poland at Euro 2008 last month.

Although Leo Beenhakker's side's failed to reach the last 16 Boruc showed his class by pulling off a string of fabulous saves in group games against Germany, Croatia and Austria.

The keeper had previously been linked with a big-money move to AC Milan but now several English clubs including Arsenal, Tottenham and Aston Villa are said to be keen on taking him south.

But Bonner, who was signed by Jock Stein in 1978 and went on to play 642 times for Celtic, believes Boruc doesn't need to head for England to fulfil his dreams.

And the former Ireland international insists the Pole should realise how lucky he is that Celtic took him fromvirtual obscurity at Legia Warsaw and gave him such a high-profile stage to perform on.

Packie said: "Celtic brought Boruc from Poland in 2005 when nobody really knew anything about him.

"They put him in the shop window with games in the Champions League and, yes, he has done really well. But he has only been there a few years.

"The Celtic greats of many years ago gave their whole life to the club - that'swhy they're legends. Boruc hasn't done that.

"People have said he has to go to England to further his career but that's nonsense.

"I played for Celtic for 19 years and played at the highest level while I was there.

"We could have done better in Europe but the club won titles and were in the European Cup all the time.

"I played in World Cups and European Championships with Ireland and being with Celtic satisfied me in every way.

"I got loads of publicity and acclaim because I was playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. I was lucky to be part of some quality teams and got plenty of adulation and success at Parkhead.

"You can achieve all those things with Celtic - you don't have to go to the Premiership to do it.

"Boruc should just get on with his job and help Celtic achieve what the fans crave and that's more progress in Europe.

"I can't say the grass isn't greener on the other side because I never left the club.

"Kenny Dalglish left for Liverpool in 1977 and went on to great success but that was a different era.

"If you're achieving things at Celtic and getting the money they're paying nowadays you can be wealthy and successful.

"Going to England isn't necessarily the be-all and end-all in football.

"I'd like to see Artur going back to Parkhead and buckling down to what he's good at - keeping the ball out of Celtic's net."

Bonner would love to see Boruc commit his long-term future to Gordon Strachan's side and rule out a move away.

But if the player does decide to move on, Packie hopes the Hoops will demand at least £10million for their prize asset. Such a huge price tag may scare off some clubs and Boruc's controversial on-field antics at Parkhead could also put bosses off bidding for the Polish star.

But Bonner believes the man dubbed the Holy Goalie by the Celtic faithful showed the world his true worth at Euro 2008.

Packie said: "Boruc is a contracted player. If he's going to leave, Celtic should get as much money as possible for him.

"Of course, the fans and everyone at Parkhead will want him to stay and be content at playing for a huge team.

"At the moment Boruc is under contract and is supposed to give Celtic 100 per cent, work hard, perform at the best of his ability and help the club win trophies.

"It would give Celtic a massive boost if they could hold on to him.

"He has been a key player for them in the last two championship wins and hopefully he'll be around for another.

"We all want him to get on with his job but if a club comes in for him and he wants to leave Parkhead then Celtic shouldn't be held to ransom.

"If someone wants Artur, Celtic should be determined to make sure they get the appropriate money for him.

"They need to get enough cash to replace him with another quality keeper and that won't be easy.

"I don't know what would be a reasonable figure but Craig Gordon went for around £9m from Hearts to Sunderland last season and that should give Celtic an indicator as to Boruc's true worth.

"They will probably be able to demand even more for him now than they would have just six weeks ago.

"Some people may have questioned if he had the character to do it at that top level but he played really well for Poland at the European Championships.

"He's one of the best in Europe right now and showed that with his displays in Austria and Switzerland.

"He produced some fantastic saves when Poland really needed him and he kept them in games at time.

"Goalkeepers and coaches I've spoken to now regard Artur as one of the best in Europe. But he's still young for a goalie so Artur will develop and get even better as he matures more."