TONY Mowbray has begun the task of evaluating his squad following this week's return to training and goalkeeper Artur Boruc has already left a good impression on the new Celtic manager.
Mowbray has already started the process of asking his new players' searching questions. One of the first in line for this treatment has been Boruc, but the Pole's attitude has been first-class so far. "Running is not his greatest forte I would sugge
st, but he is crawling around out there after making sure he has put in the same work as the rest," revealed Mowbray.
Boruc had his troubles both on and off the field last season but Mowbray liked what he saw and heard yesterday. The manager sees no reason why the Pole won't see off the challenge of compatriot Lukasz Zaluska to begin the season as Celtic's first-choice goalkeeper.
"I had a good chat with Artur this morning," said Mowbray yesterday. "I only watched him from afar last season, but I try and base my relationships with my players on respect.
"I told him that if he has issues or problems he has to make me aware. It's no good keeping them to himself and me just judging him on his performance. If he has other things on in his life, then he needs to talk to me about them. I also talked to him about motivation levels. Is he ready for the new season? Is he ready to go again?
"Whether or not he has ideas of moving on, he understands he has to get down to some hard work in pre-season and get focused on the job in hand. If joining one of the biggest clubs in the world is his ambition, they aren't going to come knocking if he is not performing week in, week out."
Aiden McGeady, who came to blows with Boruc in a dressing room spat last season, is another who Mowbray will be watching carefully. "I have spoken to Aiden," said Mowbray. "I am not anticipating any problems. I like quality footballers."
The full article contains 352 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
