Football: LUBO'S TO GO LOOPY FOR TITLE; SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE.

Byline: TIM GORDON

LUBOMIR MORAVCIK would not normally allow himself to be reduced to the role of bit part player. But he's prepared to make an exception for Celtic.

The Slovakian veteran has sat out half of the season so far, kicking his heels on Martin O'Neill's bench and waiting patiently for the odd opportunity to display his collection of vintage skills.

He was brought out of cold storage again on Thursday night against Bordeaux and for 23 minutes it seemed that his goal was about to carry the club through to the third round of the UEFA Cup.

Of course, it was all to end in bitter disappointment but Moravcik spoke yesterday of the big one that he simply will not let get away.

Moravcik may have only a few more months to go before he hangs up his screw-ins for good but he is consumed by the notion of walking out of Celtic Park for the last time with a league winners' medal in his pocket.

And, having gone an entire career without knowing how it feels to be a champion, this is not simply a burning ambition. This is Moravcik's final mission.

As he said himself yesterday: "Winning the title would be a very satisfying way to end my career at Celtic. It would be the best possible finale to my career."

And, even if it means he has to spend the whole of next summer picking splinters from his backside, he insists he will not be deterred.

There was a time when Moravcik would have used his performance against the French as a gun to his manager's head to demand that he be kept in the team for tomorrow's clash with St Johnstone.

Not now. He said: "I don't know what happens with me now. It's up to the manager - it's his choice.

"I hope I get the chance to play more but what is important is Celtic, it's not me - forget about me.

"If Celtic keep winning I will be very happy.

"My goal now is to help Celtic win the league in my last season at the club and then leave with the title. It would be a very nice way to end my career.

For now, though Moravcik does not wish to look so far ahead. In fact, he can see no further than tomorrow afternoon when Celtic will attempt to continue their drive towards the title with a home win over St Johnstone.

But Rock'n'roller Nick Dasovic is desperate to leave Celtic singing the blues again.

The Canadian midfielder and one-time drummer, who is sponsored by Perth punk band PMT, bagged a place in St Johnstone's Hall of Fame when he rattled home the winner at Celtic Park two years ago en route to qualification for Europe.

Dasovic admits notching the goal which secured a rare Saints victory in Glasgow will be one of his abiding memories when he quits the game.

"I remember Paul Kane slipping a free-kick to me. I just hit it and it took a deflection. It was a real buzz winning that night and it gave us a platform to build on.

"It would be great to repeat it on Sunday but it's going to be a whole lot tougher."

CAPTION(S):

HEADBANGER: Dasovic; MADE HIS MARK:\ Viduka (above) may be gone but Martin O'Neill (right) can still plot St Johnstone's downfall