SOMETIMES, a player just knows when a good thing must come to an end. Unfortunately, as Lubomir Moravcik found out to his peril, they can be wrong.

The playmaker, a fans favourite at Parkhead thanks to his four-year stint in Scotland around the turn of the century, won five major trophies during his time in Glasgow and contributed his fair share to memorable successes during that time.

Between the big games, big moments and big goals, Moravcik has plenty to look back on from his time at the club and a sizeable list of achievements that he can reflect on with pride.

However, the former St Etienne and Bastia midfielder can’t help but look back and wonder at what could have been had he decided to stick around for another year.

Moravcik announced at the start of the 2001/02 campaign that he would be leaving Celtic and the Slovakian describes it as one of the chief regrets of his playing career – because Martin O’Neill’s team would go on to reach the UEFA Cup final the very next year.

“My first talk with him [O’Neill] wasn’t really successful for me because he didn’t know what role I could play in the team,” Moravcik recalled. “But everything changed when we had a discussion face-to-face.

“I told him I was ready to move because I was 35 and I wasn’t young anymore. He said if I wanted to stay he would give me an opportunity to play some games. The first game I played in Luxembourg I scored two goals and he knew then that he could use my quality for the team for the season.

“I think it was the best season of my career because I finished with 15 goals and played a lot of games for my age. He knew how to use my quality for the team – not all the time, but at the right time.

“At the end of the season we were happy and I signed for another season. But I think I made a mistake because at the start of the season I said it was my last for Celtic. I made a mistake. I should have stayed for one more year because Celtic could have won a European trophy – with me!

A move to Japan followed where Moravcik would be reacquainted with Jo Venglos, the same manager who brought him to Celtic in 1998. But he admits that the decision was made for the wrong reasons and that the move didn't pan out.

He continued: “Sometimes I made too quick a decision. I felt maybe my role in the team would be less and less and I was very proud.

“People must have been thinking: ‘the stupid guy should sign another deal.’ In Japan, I had a very good contract for six months. Better than at Celtic. The money was more important than my desire but it was very hard in Japan at the age of 37.

“In Japan the summer was very hot and very wet and it was very hard for an older player. I was two months working hard out there and it was a bad decision because it was not easy to cope with the younger players running around me.

“I have a very good memory of Japan. I went with Dr Jo to the semi final of the World Cup, Brazil 1-0 Turkey. That was a good memory but it was my only positive memory. The rest was s***.

“But I was stupid. I had a bad injury and for six weeks I had acupuncture and physiotherapy and I worked hard to get back fit. I played in the Japanese Cup and we lost and I was s***.

“I didn’t touch the ball and there was always pain in my ankle. I said to Dr Jo I would try another game but we lost again and I was shit again. I was so disappointed I stopped. I left three months’ wages — that I would be very happy to have today!

“But at that time I was proud. I didn’t want the money. I wanted to leave. But now I think: ‘b******!’ That was 300,000 Euros I left there. Today that would make a nice holiday. But money is not everything.”

Lubo Moravcik was speaking at an event to promote 'An Evening with Martin O'Neill' at the SEC Armadillo on May 29th. Martin will be joined by Lubo, Chris Sutton, Paul Lambert and Jackie McNamara. Tickets  available from ticketmaster.com.