FORMER Celtic star Lubo Moravcik believes that Aberdeen’s title challenge is GOOD for his old team rather than a cause for concern.

With Ronny Deila’s side in Scottish Cup action last weekend, the Dons took the opportunity to move level on points with Celtic at the top of the Premiership table.

On top of the team’s struggles in Europe earlier in the campaign and the League Cup exit to Ross County, former Parkhead pros like Chris Sutton, Andy Walker and John Hartson have not been slow to criticise Deila and the team for their performances.

Moravcik has seen Celtic only once in the flesh this season - in the Europa League dead rubber away to Fenerbahce in Istanbul - so feels he can’t comment on their displays.

But the Slovakian once dubbed a gift from God believes having Aberdeen breathing down their necks can only serve to spur them on over the closing months of the campaign.

Lubo said: "I hear some former players have been critical. Everyone has their opinion. They see more of Celtic than me.

"I do know that Celtic have lost a couple of games in a row but they are still top of the league with a game in hand.

“There is nothing wrong. It's a small crisis. Look at Manchester United and Chelsea struggling in England with Leicester top of the league.

"That’s good for English football and I think it's good for Scotland that Aberdeen are challenging.

"It's good that someone is close to Celtic. The players will now be saying, 'We have to concentrate and go forward'.

"They need to beat Dundee in their game in hand and go three points ahead. It will push the team and the fans.

"If Celtic were 20 points ahead like PSG are in France it would be boring. It is better that Aberdeen are close. In the past, it has always been Celtic or Rangers winning the title so it's good that a big club like Aberdeen are doing well.

"They won a European trophy. They always gave us a hard time when I was at Celtic. So the league is more interesting this way.”

Moravcik did agree, however, that his old club should be qualifying for the Champions League most seasons, something they have not managed since 2013.

He added: “It's Celtic's duty to be in the Champions League every year. If you play against a team like Sion, you have to go through. That's true.

"Celtic will never win the Champions League, to go through from the groups is very hard. But to qualify, finish third and qualify for the Europa League knock-out phase is possible.

"That must be the objective for Celtic. The fans must expect the Champions League every year.”

Moravcik is back working as an agent in his native Slovakia and has spoken to Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell with a view to helping the club find players from that region.

He added: "I have spoken to Peter and he knows I am always ready for Celtic. I have known him a long time and I can help find players for Celtic if we can find a way to work together.

"They are not the biggest talents but there are good players who are ready for a step to Europe. Celtic can provide that for them.”