Artur Boruc urges Strachan to stick with Scotland

02/03/08
GLASGOW
Artur Boruc — 02/03/08 GLASGOW Artur Boruc

The Poles are coming to Hampden brimming with confidence knowing that three points will be enough to send them to the finals in France and end Scotland’s hopes.

Boruc, the former Celtic goalkeeper, worked under Strachan during his five colourful years in Glasgow.

The Scotland national coach’s future is uncertain, with contract talks on hold until Scotland’s Euro 2016 fate is decided.

Although SFA chiefs remain keen for the former Celtic manager to stay, Strachan himself has remained silent on whether he wants to remain in charge for the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

But the Bournemouth keeper, speaking at the Polish training base in Warsaw, reckons Scotland must pull out the stops to persuade Strachan to stay.

“Gordon Strachan is a very good manager,” Boruc said. “He’s in a difficult situation with the national team at the moment because of their position in the group.

“Being a national team manager is a hard job and I think he might not like the fact he doesn’t get to see his players too often, unlike at Celtic where he watched the guys in training every day.

“Scotland have some great, great players though. They are an improving team and I think he should get another campaign. He’s doing a great job.”

Boruc will make an emotional return to Glasgow tomorrow night and admits he can’t wait to get back to Hampden.

The old stadium holds a special place in his heart; he became the first Celtic goalkeeper in history to score there when he netted in a League Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out win against Dundee United in 2009. However, he doesn’t rate the stadium as highly as Parkhead.

He said: “Most of my memories are connected to Celtic Park, but I know Hampden Park well too because I played in a few semi-finals and finals there. I have good memories. Scoring in that penalty shoot-out was special too. But to be honest, it’s not as good a stadium as Celtic Park because the stands are further away from the pitch. But it’s going to be an amazing atmosphere on Thursday.

“I’ve been back in Glasgow a few times since I left Celtic. I still have a house there. I also have plenty of memories from the city...most of them are good too. It was a great time in my life although it was a bit crazy at times.”