Naylor: Artur Boruc is Britain's best keeper
Last updated : 17 January 2009 By Mikbhoy
Celtic head for Pittodrie this weekend and ex-Don Gordon Strachan knows that his Bhoys will have to be on the top of their game to take anything from the match against the form team in the SPL. Aberdeen have won five out of their last six league matches and Jimmy Calderwood's side will be hoping that they can make it six against the champions but the Celtic manager will not be underestimating the challenge presented by a team who are determined to turn their home ground into a fortress.
"Aberdeen have got into their stride now," said the Celtic boss. "They are playing well and Jimmy has them firing on all cylinders and I'm pleased for him because he's a good football man. I'm not surprised that they're now in fourth position. They've got good players like Sone Aluko and Lee Miller. If they can keep everybody fit, it makes a big difference. That's what has happened this season, Jimmy has had his main players fit and they've done well, they're a good team."
The manager was asked if he had considered dropping keeper Artur Boruc following his mistake in last week's Scottish Cup tie against Dundee but he was unwilling to discuss some matters that he regards as personal "I will have to keep that to myself, I can't go talking about individual players like that." he said "That's unfair. If you are speaking to a lad personally it can't come into the public. I haven't done it with anyone else so I'm not going to start with the goalie, that's for sure."
"The coaching staff have been speaking." continued the boss "But there are other things that we look at after games so it is only part of what we do. We debrief on a Monday and during the week we try and pick up the players who need to be picked up and that's what we have been doing all week. Artur has said he hasn't had the best year and you have that in life. We all make mistakes. Everyone has bad years and bad periods and you just have to deal with it and work hard. The best way to get through any rough period in your life is to work hard and see how it goes. But Artur's been fine this week. Artur trains well all the time. The big man likes training."
Left-back Lee Naylor was also standing by the Holy Goalie and he rates Artur as Britain's finest goalkeeper "Best keeper in Britain? Yes, without a doubt," he said. "I would say that, he's top drawer so I would say so, yes. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has pounced on it but he is a an unbelievable keeper and you don't change overnight, you don't suddenly become a bad keeper and I would have him in my goals any day."
Many of the long term injured have begun to report back for duty and boss Strachan has already hinted that he'll continue to use his much commented upon rotation system but even though there is a chance he could be 'rotated' the much-maligned Naylor is looking forward to the rest of the season and insists that he'll continue to fight for his place in the team "The boys have all done well this season," he said. "Players have come in and if the gaffer wants to change the team, then that's what he'll do. The only thing that matters is winning games. If someone comes in to compete for my position, then I'll fight for my place. I'm no different to anyone else."
