TOMMY BURNS watched Andy Goram almost single-handedly deny him a champion-ship during his time as Celtic manager.
TOMMY BURNS watched Andy Goram almost single-handedly deny him a champion-ship during his time as Celtic manager.
But the Hoops coach reckons Gordon Strachan has a goalkeeper capable of being the difference in a title race in Artur Boruc.
The Polish international has been crucial for the Parkhead club this season as they battle it out with Old Firm rivals Rangers for the SPL crown.
And Burns has no doubts he is up there with the best in the business.
He said: "I think Boruc would be among the top six in the world. If you were trying to compile a list of top, top goalkeepers then he'd be up there.
"When you look at the best goalkeepers in the Premiership, then he is certainly up there at that level and I'd even go as far as to say he is up there and as good as anything Celtic has ever had.
"He's a big character, lives on the edge a bit, but you know what they say about goalkeepers!
"I know Andy Goram was the same in that respect and I'd hate to see that pair teaming up on a night out. In fact, I'd love to see that.
"But seriously, Andy was worth a few points to Rangers over the course of a season and Artur is the same for us. On Sunday, he made two terrific saves to help us beat St Mirren and he has done that many times this season.
"The club extended his contract earlier in the season and the club has recognised what he has done.
"Only in years to come will we discover if he remains here long-term or whether a club makes an incredible offer Celtic find too good to turn down."
The major talking point this week has been referee Eddie Smith's decision to award Celtic a controversial free-kick with just three minutes remaining - which Shunsuke Nakamura converted with one of his trademark free-kicks for a 1-0 win.
But Burns sympathises with the men in black and believes it's time to give them a break.
He said: "Top players are competitive as hell, even in training games, when myself and the other coaches sometimes referee the matches.
"If they don't get a decision that they feel is the correct one then there can be a war going on.
"But I was the same as a player. So what must it be like when it's in a game, when players are running at them and there is a crowd on top of them?
"Referees don't get thousands of pounds a week like the top players."
Regardless of how Celtic managed to secure all three points, Burns knows the pressure will be on them again this evening as they continue to play catch-up on rivals Rangers - who boast a four-point advantage - when they entertain Caley Thistle.
He added: "If you look back over the years it's actually amazing how Caley Thistle have managed to get themselves into the SPL and establish themselves.
"They all deserve a great deal of credit. Craig Brewster is back there again and they are a difficult team to play against.
"Stephen McManus is a slight doubt after picking up a strain at the weekend, but if he doesn't make tonight then he should be fine for Saturday.
"But it's just another match where we'll have to go out, get the sleeves rolled up and hopefully get the three points and keep things going.
"That's all we can do. We are enjoying a good run of results in the SPL and it's up to the players to keep that going."
