Artur Boruc: I enjoyed my relationship with the Rangers fans

Artur Boruc starred for Celtic for five years. Picture: SNS

Former Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc insists the animosity directed towards him by the Rangers support during his time in Glasgow made him feel 'alive'.

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The Polish international - dubbed the Holy Goalie by the Parkhead crowd - spent five years as a controversial figure between the sticks at Celtic Park.

He enraged the Rangers crowd during an Old Firm match in early 2006 for making a number of gestures towards the Rangers end, including blessing himself. He would later receive a police caution for the incident.

This contributed to him becoming a figure of ire for the Ibrox faithful until his exit in 2010.

Speaking to football magazine Mundial, the 37-year-old, currently with Bournemouth, said: “I didn’t realise before I came to Celtic that there was a religious aspect to the rivalry, I didn’t expect it.

“But I did enjoy the relationship I had with the Rangers fans, to be honest, it kind of makes you feel alive, makes you feel like the things you’re doing makes them go insane. I did enjoy that.

“Those kind of games brought out the best in me. You didn’t have anything to lose in a way. You don’t worry about anything, you just try to live in the moment and make the best saves you can, and that’s what was always good about it.”