Whichever other issues Artur Boruc may have in his life - and on recent evidence there are a few - Celtic's goalkeeper can always apparently rely on Gordon Strachan for support.

Almost a fortnight has now passed since Boruc's howler proved the culmination of a horrible afternoon for Celtic in that most unforgiving of environments, the Old Firm derby. As Kenny Miller stroked home his second goal of the afternoon, setting Rangers on course for a 4-2 victory at the home of their oldest adversaries, Boruc was left to wonder just how he had spilt a routine Kirk Broadfoot cross at the striker's feet. Hours earlier, Boruc had awakened to tabloid revelations about his marriage.

That Boruc has spent the intervening fortnight virtually inactive in Glasgow owes everything to previous misdemeanours when on international duty - he earned a two-match suspension from the Polish FA after breaking a curfew after a friendly in Ukraine. Further punishment may be imminent - the SFA will meet on Tuesday to discuss images of Celtic's goalkeeper making an apparent one-fingered gesture to Rangers fans during that derby defeat.

Love him or hate him, Boruc retains his manager's faith. “Artur has been great in training,” Strachan said, thereby dismissing any theory he may rest the 28-year-old for this lunchtime's potentially hazardous trip to Motherwell. “Maybe the [fortnight] break has been good for him.

“I think everyone knows I speak to him quite a lot. He looks alright, I don't think he has dwelt on anything because [the goalkeeping coach] Jim Blyth has been really pleased with the way he has trained.”

Boruc was one of precious few Celtic first-team players to remain at the club's Lennoxtown training base in recent days, five of them starting in Scotland's victory over Iceland in midweek alone. Shunsuke Nakamura also represented Japan, while Andreas Hinkel celebrated his surprise return to the German fold by playing the closing minutes of a 3-3 draw in Finland. Aiden McGeady added to his Ireland cap count against Georgia and Montenegro.

Gary Caldwell's display for Scotland, both in Reykjavik and four days earlier as one of few eye-catching performers during the loss to Macedonia, has surprised some, but not his club manager. “Gary has not put a foot wrong for a long time,” Strachan said. “He has been magnificent for us and is a special bloke. He wants to train hard, wants to play hard and wants to get better. Added to that, he has a great demeanour.”

Strachan's words are likely to strike a chord with his chief executive, Peter Lawwell, who is currently negotiating an extension to Caldwell's contract, which expires next summer.

Of more immediate concern, though, is the trip to Fir Park. Arguably Celtic's most crucial victory of last season arrived in Lanarkshire. The 4-1 win in April triggered an unbeaten run and the retention of the Scottish Premier League championship.

Strachan has been boosted by the return to fitness of Scott McDonald, who should face his former employers after recovering from a groin problem, although another striker, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, is suspended.

Celtic's manager spent an “enjoyable” international break at a Uefa coaching summit in Geneva, alongside José Mourinho, Arsène Wenger and Luiz Felipe Scolari. “It is just good to speak to other coaches,” he said. “I think we all realise there is nothing cosmic out there. We hear about tactics and whatever but it is all about players, and coaches making right decisions at the right times.”

Closer to home, Hinkel has no worries over his team-mates' ability to recover from their derby shock. “That result was my most disappointing since I came to the club,” the full-back said. “Especially to lose four goals at home, it was too simple for them.

“But we have only played four league games. Maybe after ten games you can assess the situation but not four. I think we will come back, we are a good team and you cannot win every game. We will fight back.”

Bobo Balde's ostracism at Celtic Park has been confirmed by the news that the Guinea defender has not been listed among a 33-man party who are eligible for Celtic's Champions League group campaign.

Balde, who has been unable to reach an agreement about the termination of his £30,000 a week contract, has been targeted by Birmingham City but appears content to remain in Glasgow until his deal ends next summer.

Strachan only has Glenn Loovens and Darren O'Dea as central defensive back-up for Europe should either of his first-choices, Caldwell or the captain, Stephen McManus, incur injury or suspension.