All not Lost for Boruc: Beenhakker

Artur Boruc may have felt that his international career as number one keeper for Poland may be staring down a dark tunnel. The tunnel may have, initially, seemed like the barrel of a gun but Poland manager, Leo Beenhakker’s latest statements seem to have illuminated a light at the end of the tunnel. (Image Courtesy of AFP/Getty Images)

An 18-year old Boruc first took the field for Pogon Siedice, a local football team. He joined Legia Warszawa the next season and played for their reserve lineup. In 2000, he was loaned out for half the season to Dolcan Zabki, for some first team action. He came back to Legia and by 2002-03, was established as the first choice keeper for the team. In 2005, Boruc came to Scotland and to Celtic. The deal started off as a loan period of one year and Celtic converted it into a permanent move at the end of the loan deal. Boruc received many awards including the Scottish PFA’s 2007 – Player of the Year award.

For Poland, Boruc came onto the international stage in 2004. He had a tough time at the international stage with Tomasz Kuszczak and Lukasz Fabianski but managed to hold the top slot going into the 2006 World Cup. At Euro 2008, Boruc was again the main man and his heroics against Austria confirmed his status as the country’s number one keeper.

However, recent happenings have led to the Pole being dealt with harshly by the national team boss. Artur Boruc, amongst others, was deemed to have defied team orders in Ukraine last week after they broke curfew set by the management and left the team hotel to have a night out with some scribes from Poland. The 28-year old was subsequently dropped from the squad and that led to speculation that his career at the international level was under threat. Coach Beenhakker said that even though there was an indefinite suspension on the three players involved on the night, it does not necessarily mean that they can never make it back to the squad.

Boruc’s problems might not be over yet. Celtic coach Gordon Strachan has said that the matter will be investigated wherein Strachan may get in touch with Beenhakker to get a detailed report of what went on that night. Based on the facts that he receives, Strachan will take a decision on Boruc’s involvement in Celtic games, and maybe a financial penalty even.

Whatever be the decision, Boruc will be facing some tough calls in the coming few weeks and that may well affect the confidence and status at the club. He has already been dropped for the coming week of International fixtures for the Polish side, what remains to be seen is the strictness of the action that Celtic decides to take on their number one goalkeeper.

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