Boruc or Forster?

Artur has a lot more personality and he was loved by all the fans! However Fraser is a far superior keeper than Boruc was for us and he's still only a young man!! Could go down as the best keeper we've ever had and will eventually become true world class!

 

Fraser Forster

 

This is a really tough one.

Boruc...Where to start, he was a cult hero here. The huns hated him and that made us love him even more. He had such a big personality, he was a difficult player to hate for us Celtic fans. At one point in his Celtic career, he was one of the best goalkeepers in the world, top 10 easily and pushing top 5. The problem was that this spell at the very top was somewhat short-lived. His first 3 seasons were great, he just got better and better. There was a few blunders in there, but all in all they were good seasons with some spectacular performances. The Penalty save vs Man Utd, the performances against Milan, He was at the top of his game when on the big stage.

But the Blunders...they were his major weakness on the field, he sometimes had a lapse in concentration(still does) and it often results in a blooper DVD type mistake. I remember a couple of times after a mistake that he'd be very shaky in the few games following, he didn't seem to shrug it off immediately.

It was 2008 onwards that was Boruc's high and low. He had a terrific Euro's, I remember Alan Hansen comparing him to Schmeichel. Even though I hate Hansen, I seem to enjoy when Pundits of the English game give plaudits to players playing for us. He was the best goalkeeper in the tournament during the group stage and was one of 5 goalkeepers nominated for the FIFPRO World XI.

I'm not quite sure what happened the season following, I know he was dealing with personal issues, he just wasn't himself. He was regularly disciplined, he put on weight, his professionalism went out the window, quite frankly. He just looked shaky in 08/09, it was his worst season by a mile, even when there wasn't a blunder he looked a shadow of the Boruc we had seen. The following season under Mowbray was a bit better, he didn't make alot of high-profile errors and made a couple of top saves(e.g. vs Hibs ) but again, he still didn't seem like the commanding presence he once was.

One other thing I should touch on, alot of people have mentioned the fact(and it is indeed a fact) that Boruc commanded his area better. He definately did, he was out sharper and actually tried to go out for high balls. One thing that rarely ever gets mentioned though, is that Boruc would often flap at a cross ball. He wasn't strong in that area, he got better as time went on, but he was never strong.

All in all his Celtic career was highly successful, but a part of that was down to his popularity. His career on the pitch was up and down(mostly up, of course), and off the pitch it was a mess. He is one of the best goalkeepers we've ever had, and I must say, my favourite.

But then there is big Fraser. When he came to the club I was thinking, who the * is this guy?. He was a complete unknown to me and I seriously didn't believe he would come close to replacing Boruc. His first season didn't fill me with confidence either, just looked like a big, skinny, clumsy, slow * who wasn't the quickest at getting down at first and although he steadily improved and all in all it was a solid season for the big man, there was just something about him that didn't fill many on here with confidence. When he went back to Newcastle, Alot of people weren't too bothered if he came back or not.

Of course he did, and ever since its been up and up. He is so reliable and is always focused, 11/12 was another solid season for him, as was 12/13. No, 12/13 was a spectacular season, His performances against Barcelona were out of this world. This season has been another solid season, again with some spectacular saves.

His main weakness as everyone knows, is his command of his area, he doesn't seem confident coming from his line at all. This is something he really needs to work on as it would take him to another level. But just look what he has worked on, he has improved leaps and bounds! His kicking, although still suspect at times, has improved dramatically. He never looks slow to the ground anymore, he is faster, stronger and his reflexes are superb. His biggest asset for me though, is his concentration and consistency.

I think these are the aspects in which he is head and shoulders above Artur. It doesn't seem to matter how long he has been sitting around doing nothing, doesn't matter the occasion. We can always rely on Fraser Forster. Like any player he will have times where he isn't quite on form, but he never really dips below average and is usually very good. He also won an England cap, which is some achievement while playing in the SPFL. Some amount of credit needs to be given to Fraser and Stevie Woods. The difference in 3 and a half years is unbelievable and he'll only get better.

If you compare the two keepers on SPL clean sheets, then:
Forster has played 125 games and kept 70 clean sheets giving a 56% clean sheet success rate

Boruc played 162 league games and kept 79 clean sheets, with a clean sheet percentage of 49%.

Of course this point is redundant as a clean sheet is also down to a defence :smiley-laughing002:

Both have their weaknesses, but both are tremendous shot-stoppers and we are incredibly lucky to have two top drawer goalkeepers in quick succession.

They are great goalkeepers, maybe the 2 best in our history and it's incredibly difficult to pick between them. If this was a popularity contest we know who would win. Lets face it, big Lurch isn't much of a personality :smiley-laughing002:. If it was a natural ability contest, again, Boruc would win.

But this is who was the better goalkeeper for Celtic and I'd have to say, due to his consistency, stunning performances(not that Artur didn't have these! :icon_mrgreen and sheer professionalism. I'm going with Fraser Forster...By a bawhair.

 

Good post Zander Nice analysis of two very good keepers who are very hard to separate.

 

Boruc was a charismatic goalie who played well for Celtic. However versus Forster, Boruc finishes as reserve. Forster is a colossus and will hopefully remain at Celtic for years to come. Of course if Forster gets a chance as England's number 1 goalie, his profile will increase. Although Hart will need to mess up again for that to happen. I suspect Forster will be a transfer target for EPL clubs this summer and if Celtic sell it will be for profit.

As for best Celtic goalie in history I have always rated Pat Bonner, a legend.

 

The thing is, Forster does make quite a few mistakes....the fact that he doesn't come off his line has resulted in goals being conceded...these are just as bad as the absolute clangers that Boruc made.

I know I'm being negative here, but these 2 along with Pat Bonner are the best goalkeepers weve ever had but the both of them still have flaws

I.e Forster against Shakhtar Karagrandy was chronic with all them crosses and long throw ins going into the box...their first goal could of been prevented if I remember correctly and they hit the bar a few times at CP cause he didnt come off his line

 

Goalkeeping ability - Forster. Character - Boruc

 

Agree with Zander - command of area Boruc was far better. He was also a fantastic shot-stopper. Hey, the guy went on to Fiorentina and is now in the EPL. He was and is * class.

And for me, probably still edges it.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS2qw1m8c4U"]Artur Boruc - The Best Days Of His Life - YouTube[/ame]

 

Forster. They are comparable talents wise, Boruc may have been better coming off his line but Forster maybe a better shot stopper. Of the two Forster is/and has been much more reliable.

When Boruc left we didn't get much money for him, because he freely admitted that he lost interest and went off the rails in his final year at Celtic. When Forster goes, he'll go with his reputation intact and enhanced from his time here and it will take a sizeable fee to prise him away.

 

Forster just edges this for me. Purely because he is more reliable I feel. Yes, he has made a few mistakes, but I can't recall many of them being game changing ones. When Artur had an off day, it was an absolute shocker. I think if Forster had the same personality as Boruc, then a lot more of the fans would say he was the better keeper I think.

 

Forster is more reliable thus better. Forster seems absolutley solid at times like a brick wall, against Motherwell and Hibs in the last two games an average keeper would have conceded 3/4/5 goals big Forster looked comfortable.

 

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6sSyDNbqq0"]Fraser Forster - La Gran Muralla - YouTube[/ame]

 

The HG is the best celtic keeper in my lifetime

 

Surely you can see the difference?

When Forster doesn't come off his line, even when he probably should, the defence still have to deal with it. The defence and goalkeeper are culpable.

When Boruc blundered, he was the sole reason for losing a goal.

 

Boruc. He was top 5 in the world at his best, Forster will never reach that level.

 

Boruc everyday of the week. Commanded his box so well. Saved pen's for fun and gave the manky mob the middle pointer and blessed himself on their turf, and as stated above was in the world 5 best at one point.
He did get a bit lack luster at times and did * up on a few occasions but don't act like Fraz hasn't.


I'm sure he battered 3 neds and saved a pregnant woman as well at one point

 

Lies.

 

I'm not trying to take anything away from how good Boruc was for Celtic, but Forster is a better all round goalkeeper, in my opinion.

 

i would like you to name 4 who are better than him rght now

i dont want names like buffon etc who live on reputation these days... cassilas another ...

honestly straight up name 4 who are better in no way am i saying he is the best but i would like to see hwo you would consider

but i want names who have done well over the last few years