Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc has vowed to return to the club as a fan after he hangs up his gloves.

The Poland international, who has become a hero at the Parkhead club since arriving from Legia Warsaw in 2005, was recently honoured by Celtic supporters with a tribute dinner in Glasgow.

And the 29-year-old claims that when he has retired from football, he will join them cheering on the team.

"I feel proud to have represented Celtic for so many years," Boruc told www.celticfc.net.

"Some people don't realise just how big a club it is and how much it means to people.

"Joining Celtic has had a massive impact on my own life as well. It has changed my life in so many ways.

"A lot has happened in the last years and I will always have a strong connection with the club.

"Celtic is now a part of me. I look upon myself as a Celtic supporter.

"Before I signed, I thought Legia was the only club in the world for me, but coming to Celtic has changed all that.

"The people who know me back home in Poland can't believe the way I feel about Celtic.

"It's even had an impact on all of my friends - they look for the Celtic score every week.

"Celtic mean a lot to me and I look forward to coming back to watch the team when I am an old man.

"I will travel to an away game, have a few drinks with the fans and then cheer on the team in the stands.

"I would love that. It would be really nice."

Boruc has picked up three Clydesdale Bank Premier League winners' medal, a Scottish Cup winners' medal and two Co-operative Insurance Cup winners' medals in his time in Scotland but claims the victory in the final of the latter tournament over Old Firm rivals Rangers last season has been a highlight.

He said: "I have won a few trophies for Celtic now and I think winning the Co-operative Insurance League Cup last season was one of the best.

"We were playing Rangers and I don't know if there's a better feeling than beating them in the final and getting to lift a trophy after it. All the trophies mean a lot to me though.

"Winning the League Cup in 2006 was special because it was my first trophy and all the SPL titles have been good too.

"When I came here, I was desperate to win the league and the cups and it's a great feeling to manage it.

"That's why you play for Celtic - to be successful and be the best side in Scotland."