Go ahead and get a couple spare glow plugs.
An electric starter is very nice ESPECIALLY WHEN DIALING IN A MOTOR. After you have a motor dialed in the chicken stick is fine.
Try this starting technique. always run the fuel out after the last flight of the day. if you suspect the engine is wet. remove or clamp off the fuel in line remove glow plug and spin it a few times upside down and in a position to drain the cylinder and exhaust. Check the glow plug for a BRIGHT glow while its out.

reconect line and install plug. hand turn the prop WITHOUT glow drive until fuel is in the line to the carb. move throttle to just a few clicks open. Flip the prop vigorously 2 or three times without the glow driver. apply glow driver and flip to start.

sometimes in old engine removing the needle and blowing some fuel out clears gunk.
A new O ring on the needle can save HOURS of agrivation don't ask me how I know.