http://www.thefreelibrary.com/FOOTBA...CH.-a060422049
MARK VIDUKA'S best friend last night revealed the Celtic striker was nearly in tears after last Saturday's East End Park spitting shame.
Krunoslav Jurcic spoke to his former Croatia Zagreb team-mate on Monday after he saw red for gobbing at Dunfermline's Marc Millar.
And the 12 times-capped Croatian international revealed that Aussie Viduka was embarrassed by the incident.
Jurcic said: "Marko phoned me and kept saying how sorry he was for what he did. He was very disappointed and very emotional.
"Marko feels very sad because he knows that it was a stupid thing for him to do. He also knows he has brought shame on the club and himself."
Viduka was hammered with a pounds 20,000 club fine on Tuesday after issuing an apology and now faces a lengthy SFA ban.
The midfielder added: "I don't know why he did that because he's a very good person. He's a good player who is trying to prove himself at Celtic and he feels very bad about what he did.
"He didn't lose his temper very easily when he was playing for Croatia Zagreb. That was the first time Marko has done something like that."
Jurcic also revealed that Viduka was even more depressed when Pars man Millar snubbed his apology.
He said: "Marko felt like crying when the other player did not shake his hand. That made him feel very bad."
Jurcic insists that Viduka is mentally tough enough to battle back from the incident and believes the Celtic supporters have a major role to play in lifting his spirits.
He said: "The Celtic support must forgive Marko because he is only human. This is not that important and should not affect his career at Parkhead."
Meanwhile, Lubomir Moravcik is set to boost Celts by making a long-awaited return to action.
The Hoops have been rocked by the news that Jackie McNamara is ruled out of the Scottish Cup Final but the 33-year-old Slovak ace is in line for a comeback against Aberdeen on Saturday.
And he could be joined by Dutchman Regi Blinker as Celtic prepare for their showdown against Rangers on May 29.
Parkhead physio Brian Scott said: "Lubo is increasing his training significantly and hopefully he and Regi can be involved in some part of the game."
Playmaker Moravcik's influence has been missed by the Parkhead side in his 10-week absence with a hamstring injury.
Now they hope he can link again with top scorer Henrik Larsson as Celtic bid to end the season on a high note at Hampden.
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