Celtic may have a lack of new signings, but the retention of Artur Boruc should be regarded as a major positive ahead of another season of domestic and European adventures. The Polish goalkeeper's imperious form over recent seasons at Parkhead, and at this summer's European Championships, has given rise to speculation that his talents would grace a bigger stage in the foreseeable future.

However, despite reported interest from AC Milan and others, Boruc remains in situ and his willingness to stay at the club is based on an equal share of pragmatism and passion.

Boruc enjoys Celtic and life in Glasgow, but he also knows that the grass is not always greener elsewhere.

Like Carlos Cuellar at Rangers, Boruc is well aware that the prospect of regular Champions League football in Scotland should not be underestimated. As such, he was in no hurry to jump at the first big-money move that came his way. "There was no point in me changing clubs for a team that was a similar size to Celtic but one that does not always make the Champions League or have 60,000 fans behind you," he reflected. "To me, there's no point when I have all that at Celtic."

Contentment on the park is mirrored by domestic bliss off it. Boruc became a father for the first time recently and is clearly enjoying life. Chasing the Premiership or Serie A dream is clearly not top of his priorities. "There was lots of talk about me leaving in the summer, but I'm still here and I'm happy with that. It's not a problem for me to stay here and that's what people have to understand. Of course, it's great that the fans like me. But a hero? Listen, I'm just a goalie - nothing more. I'm really happy in my football and in my life right now. I have a new child and things are settled with my football."

Nevertheless, the lack of new signings so far this summer has left Celtic short of numbers. In their pre-season games against Tottenham and Feyenoord at the weekend, they did not have enough players to fill the bench. The signing of Marc Crosas from Barcelona could be completed soon, while Gabriel Tamas, the Auxerre defender, remains a target. However, Boruc is unperturbed at the lack of new faces and believes the club should set their ambitions even higher in Europe this season. "The last 16 was a great achievement but I don't think it's the limit. I feel we can go one better. We have the same squad as last year and because of that we'll become a better team through experience - and we still have a few new faces, probably, to come."

The club's pre-season has been a mixed bag. Defeat to Spurs on Friday was offset by an impressive 3-1 thrashing of Feyenoord on Sunday evening. Boruc believes they are on course for the start of the season against St Mirren on Sunday. "I think the games have gone okay. I think we have improved. It's just lots of hard work for now but we're getting more and more out of every match. I'm not complaining about having such a busy pre-season after being at the Euros. If I'm in good shape for the start of the season that's all that counts.

"The results in pre-season are not vital, but winning is good for your confidence. The trouble is it's hard to say how good the build-up has been until after the season and the Champions League starts. The results then will tell you if the work we have been doing has paid off. The aim for this season is simple - win the title again for the fourth season and then do better in the Champions League. Hopefully, we can get the away form right in the Champions League because that is what is holding us back."

Boruc's name filled the night air in Feyenoord's De Kuip stadium on Sunday night, but the travelling Celtic supporters also belted out a refrain from the past. "There's only one Pierre," they sang, in reference to Pierre van Hooijdonk, the former Celtic striker who was a guest of honour at the match having helped Feyenoord to UEFA Cup glory in 2002. The Dutchman, who retired in May 2007 and is now 38, was full of praise for Celtic's performance, but spoke with the greatest enthusiasm about his former manager at Celtic in the mid-nineties, Tommy Burns, who passed away in May after a battle with cancer.

Van Hooijdonk's spell at Celtic was inextricably linked with Burns' stewardship. He brought the Dutchman to Celtic Park from NAC Breda and nurtured his talents in an impressive spell that yielded a Scottish Cup victory in '95, the club's first trophy for six years. Van Hooijdonk, one of the "three amigos" along with Paolo Di Canio and Jorge Cadete, was an archetypal Burns signing - technically accomplished and geared to attack. The two remained friends after both left Parkhead and renewed acquaintances earlier this year in Glasgow.

"I was back in Glasgow in January for the Old Firm game, which, of course, coincided with the death of Phil O'Donnell," said van Hooijdonk. "Tommy took me up to Lennoxtown to show me around and then we went out for dinner with the families. That was Tommy. He always wanted others to feel comfortable. These moments become even more special when someone dies. It was so sad to lose someone at that age. From my first day, he brought me into the Celtic family.

"In my first night at the Albany Hotel, he popped in with books and videos about the club so that I could find out what Celtic was all about. I knew about Celtic as a club but I didn't know the detail. I learned a lot from him. Tommy was Celtic. I never heard anyone say anything bad about Tommy and that is unusual in football. Even in my own situation, he left me out the team at one point. I didn't agree with it but I respected him because of the way he behaved as a human being. He was loved by everyone and not may people have that ability."