DIDIER AGATHE today tipped Celtic to cause a Champions League last 16 shock by knocking out Juventus – and avenging the dodgy defeat of 2001.

Agathe was a key member of the famous Martin O'Neill side which lost in controversial circumstances to Juve in Champions League action back in 2001 when a late disputed penalty in Turin gave the Italian giants a 3-2 victory.

Celtic won the return group game at Parkhead 4-3, but it wasn't enough for them to qualify.

But Agathe believes the Hoops can pull of a famous Italian job as payback for that defeat and reckons home advantage in the first leg is crucial.

He said: "I absolutely believe that Celtic can win this tie with Juventus. For me, what is vital is that Celtic have the first leg at Parkhead. That will be like having a 12th man.

"I still remember these great European nights at Parkhead and back then we believed we could beat anyone at home.

"I have no doubt Neil's Celtic side will feel the same after they have beaten Barcelona in the group stages.

"It will not be easy because Juventus are playing with a lot of confidence.

"They are top of Serie A and are unbeaten this season.

"But the fact the first leg is at Parkhead can help Celtic achieve the result they need to give them a real chance of going to Turin and achieving what we just failed to do.

"So it will be a huge challenge but definitely one Celtic can overcome."

Recalling the controversy that saw his Celtic side lose out 3-2 in the Stadio delle Alpi, after Joos Valgaeren was judged to have pulled down Nicola Amoruso – with the Italian getting to his feet to convert the subsequent penalty for a last-minute winner –Agathe remains optimistic that the current class of Bhoys can avenge that painful defeat.

The former Parkhead star said: "Martin O'Neill was very unhappy and was sent to the stand.

"But although we got our revenge when we beat them at Parkhead, that loss and that penalty stopped us from qualifying and it still hurts.

"This is the chance to even the score a bit."