Bhoys goalkeeper Artur Boruc has mind 'cleansed' by Poland coach Beenhakker

The Celtic goalkeeper is preparing with his nation for their opening match of the Finals against neighbours Germany on Sunday.

Beenhakker regards his No 1 as among the very best in his position anywhere on the Continent, but was disapproving of the psychological state in which Boruc arrived at the training camp following Celtic's dramatic final-day SPL title success.

Trashed: Beenhakker, about to board the Polish team bus yesterday with Boruc, said the Celtic keeper had 'a head full of garbage' at the end of the Scottish domestic season and needed to re-focus

The 65-year-old Dutch manager, formerly in charge of Holland, Real Madrid, Ajax and Feyenoord, subjected £10million-rated Boruc to a pep talk aimed at focusing his thoughts solely on Poland's bid to qualify from Group B.

And Beenhakker now believes the player can prove himself to be in the same bracket as Petr Cech, Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas through his performances in Austria and Switzerland.

"Artur's ability is never in question," he said. "For me, he's right up there with the best and easily takes his place as one of the top five goalkeepers in the world. But to prove that at the Euros his head has to be right.

"He had a difficult start to our training camp because he arrived late having helped Celtic win the league and his head was full of all sorts of garbage.

"He was full of it and didn't feel well for a few days, so it wasn't until the next week I began to see the real Artur Boruc on the training pitch.

"He's not alone. Part of my job as a national boss is to cleanse the minds of my players and I've done that with Artur.

"Almost all of them come to me with some sort of garbage swimming about in their head.

"It can be positive garbage like the feeling of celebration Artur had for winning the league, or it can be negative garbage from a player who's been on the bench all season or one who has just been relegated.

"It's my job to give them clear heads and realise what an opportunity they all have this summer. Every player dreams of playing on a big stage like the European Championships and I want them all - not just Artur - to live up to their potential."

Beenhakker has backed Boruc since taking charge of Poland two years ago.

Season ends on a high: Celtic's keeper Artur Boruc holds the Scottish Premier league trophy

He watched in admiration as the Pole played a massive role in Celtic reaching the last 16 of the Champions League for a second successive season, before also snatching the SPL crown away from rivals Rangers in a knife - edge conclusion to the domestic campaign.

His undoubted talent remains a lucrative asset to Celtic, but his controversial streak has come to the fore almost as often.

Boruc refused to shake hands with Rangers players at the end of a 3-0 defeat at Ibrox last October - later insisting that he neither liked his opponents nor the club they represented.

In March, he was shown a yellow card for gesturing towards Hibernian supporters in a 2-0 victory at Easter Road, before he unveiled a 'God Bless the Pope' T-shirt as he left the Parkhead pitch following an Old Firm victory in April.

Those antics have, though, done nothing to diminish Beenhakker's admiration of the 28-year-old.

The coach instead feels that confrontational attitude is what makes Boruc a special player, something he hopes will be further proven over the coming three weeks.

Such a showcase of his ability would inevitably send speculation over Boruc's future into overdrive, with AC Milan among the elite clubs monitoring his position.

"Listen, we all do things that are a bit crazy," said Beenhakker. "I'm nearly 66 and even I do things that people consider to be mad. Without that streak in him, Artur would not be the same man. He would not be the same goalkeeper.

"Most keepers have to be a bit crazy and there are different levels. As long as he is respected by his team- mates and listens to his coach, he'll do for me. I haven't had one single bit of bother with him and the Poland fans love him because he is so passionate.

"He's also enormously talented and has proved that time and time again for Celtic and Poland. But how much he would cost in today's transfer market is not my concern.

"I'm not a club manager, so thankfully I don't have to deal in money. I don't have to look at the books and say: 'Well, he's worth £10m or he's worth £20m.'

"All I know is if Artur is focused, if he is feeling confident and is at the top of his game, he's one of the best five keepers in the world.

"He's good enough to challenge with the best and I just hope he shows it. This is a big stage for him, a huge test and I hope he stands up to it."