Anyone who doubted the credentials of a certain Artur Boruc before Euro 2008 (and there were many due to the Pole playing in Scotland) realistically have to eat their words, hold up their hands and admit that the guy is world class.

Every great keeper makes mistakes and Boruc is no different. Last season he dropped two almighty howlers against Hibs. However, the man packed full of controversy and slightly odd behaviour bounced back in stylish fashion with another superb all-round display of goalkeeping skills throughout a tumultuous and ultimately successful season between the sticks at Parkhead.

Celtic have never truly enjoyed the best of luck when it comes to the No.1 shirt. Pat Bonner was a competent keeper but prone to flapping at crosses and Boruc is the best Celtic have had since Lisbon Lion Ronnie Simpson. Bayern Munich and AC Milan rate Boruc very highly indeed and perhaps Arsenal and Manchester United will enter the race for the Pole, who recently signed an extension to his current deal. The money men at Parkhead are now (about time) making sure that if they have to sell, they will get exactly what is required in this mad, mad money-driven world of football.

Put it this way; if Roy Keane was happy to pay Hearts £9m for the services of Craig Gordon, then Celtic can expect no less than £12m for an international keeper with Champions League experience and outstanding ability. Don't get me wrong, Gordon is a tremendous keeper and will do a superb job for Sunderland and the guy is still young. Milan have already admitted that £12m is above their budget and Boruc himself has insisted that he will only move to a club that can offer more than Celtic. At Celtic he is an icon, a cult figure and a God rolled into one.

He gets to win trophies, compete in the premier competition in Europe every year and gets paid handsomely. What else could a man want? Well, it’s quite easy really. A man with such talent would surely want to be a part of a team that can win the Champions League. Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Manchester United can offer this. Celtic can offer the last 16 or possibly a quarter-final. They cannot offer astronomical wages or a guarantee of later stage Champions League football. That’s the truth and I hate to admit it, being a Celtic fan.

It’s really been a tremendous piece of business by Strachan in unearthing Boruc. He cost the Glasgow club peanuts and Celtic are winners no matter what happens now. If no-one takes the opportunity to splash the cash this year Celtic will not be lumped with a player sulking at not getting his "big move". It is one point Boruc has laboured on consistently. Let’s make that clear. If, and that’s a big if, a bigger club want to make that move, Celtic profit to the tune of around £11m. If not, then Celtic keep arguably the best keeper on the planet and, more importantly, he is still happy.

It’s a win-win situation for all concerned at Parkhead. Or is it? This man is worth 15-20 goals a season. Don’t believe me? You only have to look at his penalty saves in crucial Champions League games. They saved Celtic millions. It could be a case of knowing what you have and then suffering severely when he’s gone. How do you possibly replace a keeper like that? The comparisons with the guy who might take his place would be unfair but inevitable.

Celtic would not have won the league without him last year. Crucial saves against Motherwell and Dundee United were quickly forgotten when the SPL trophy was being held aloft. Celtic would move on, that’s not a choice, it’s a fact, but they would be so much weaker without the inspirational Pole. Celtic are not a selling club, but everyone has a price. To suggest that Celtic could not live without Boruc is an exaggeration, yet it is not far from being a truth. One man does not make a team but one man leaving can certainly break part of that team down.

For only the second or third time in their history, Celtic have a keeper who can be called world class. It would be a tragedy to lose him.