Craig Thomson is hoping Artur Boruc will be on his best behaviour for Poland’s
opening game of Euro 2008, after the Scottish referee was appointed fourth official
for the match against Germany.

Two of the three Old Firm derbies the 35-year-old has refereed ended with the
Celtic goalkeeper courting controversy. Boruc responded to defeat at Ibrox in
May 2007 by waving a "Champions" flag in front of the Rangers fans
and again made headlines after the 3-2 victory at Celtic Park in April by revealing
a t-shirt with the message God Bless the Pope and a picture of John Paul II.

For all that, Thomson enjoys a cordial relationship with the volatile Pole
but the Paisley lawyer will be content with a stress-free start to his Euro
2008 responsibilities. "I do not have a problem with Artur but he has not
made life easy for me," he said at the UEFA referee day in Regensdorf,
Zurich. "It is ironic that I have refereed the two Old Firm games in which
he caused a bit of a stir."

Of the t-shirt incident he said: "I do not think he was deliberately trying
to antagonise the Rangers fans because he did not run towards them. At the same
time, you are aware of the potential consequences if he does that."

Read On [The Herald]