Strachan sees funny side of Boruc T-shirt slogan

Published on Sunday 27 April 2008 23:12

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan made light of the antics of his goalkeeper, Artur Boruc, who revealed a 'God bless the Pope' T-shirt following the 3-2 win over Rangers at Parkhead.

After the game the Poland international, nicknamed the 'Holy Goalie' by the Celtic fans, took his goalkeeping shirt off to show the T-shirt with a picture of the Pope and accompanying slogan.

But Strachan joked: "He's not a bad lad, to be fair (the Pope]. If it was 'God bless Myra Hindley', I might have a problem."

It is not the first time Boruc has courted controversy in Old Firm matches. He was cautioned by police for making gestures to Rangers fans at a match at Ibrox in February 2006.

The Polish international also paraded a flag with 'Champions' written across it at the end of a 2-0 defeat by Rangers last year at the same venue. This season, Boruc angered Lee McCulloch, Barry Ferguson and David Weir by refusing to shake hands after a 3-0 defeat by Rangers at Ibrox, which brought condemnation from Strachan.

"If you get angry you should use it in other ways," said the manager. "It should make you tackle harder, run faster, jump higher." Boruc was also booked at the end of a 2-0 win at Easter Road in March for gesturing to Hibs fans.