Champions League: Let me start, pleads Moravcik

Lubo Moravcik has pleaded with manager Martin O’Neill for the chance to resurrect Celtic’s Champions League dream.

The Slovakian playmaker has yet to start a Group E match for the Glasgow giants after signing a one-year contract in the summer.

But with Celtic needing a victory against Juventus tomorrow night and hoping that Rosenborg can get a result in Porto the 36-year-old is desperate to start.

Moravcik said: ‘‘I had a taste of the Champions League as a substitute in Porto and Norway and I have proved to myself in those games that I can play at that level.

‘‘But when I start I can do more to change the match. It’s better for me to start even if I can only play for 60 minutes because that way I can make difference.

‘‘I need to be part of the fight straight from the beginning not come on when we are already 2-0 down.

‘‘You’d have to be crazy to believe you can make a difference in that situation.’’