FRASER Forster believes Celtic can claim their first win ever on Italian soil – but only if they guard against Udinese's diving.

Forster's team-mates were left fuming at the controversial finale to their first Europa League meeting with the Serie A cracks.

Neil Lennon's team performed well against Francesco Guidolin's side at Parkhead in September and looked to be heading for a narrow 1-0 win thanks to an early Ki Sung-Yueng penalty.

However, just five minutes from time, Udinese defender Neuton went to ground in the area after a soft, practically non-existent, challenge from Gary Hooper.

To the horror of the Celts and a disbelieving home support, referee Bulent Yildirim pointed to the spot. Almen Abdi stepped up and slotted home and the game finished 1-1.

Now the Celtic players are desperate to beat Udinese tonight and qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League in order to avenge what they perceive to be an injustice.

But Forster believes that, to claim a historic win in the Stadio Fruili, his side needs to be wary of the dubious tactics Italian teams are notorious for using and which proved their un- doing in their first meeting.

"We have to make sure we take the referee out of the equation," the Hoops goal-keeper stressed as he prepared for his team's final Group I match.

"I think we have shown that we are capable of going to Italy and getting a victory against Udinese in this match. We just have to believe in ourselves.

"We just have to keep it tight at the back and try to nick a goal. I am sure with the quality we have got in the squad in both defence and attack we can do that.

"Hopefully, if we can play like we did in the first leg at Parkhead, then we will be able to get the result we need to progress. The game in Glasgow will give us confidence.

"It was a disappointing penalty to lose in the first leg. I am not convinced it was a penalty.

"It was a frustrating way for the game to finish as we had worked so hard in that match."

The goalkeeper added: "I think that after the first game we are a bit more switched on to the fact that players in Italy do go to ground at the slightest hint of contact.

"European football is different from Scottish football and we have to adapt and play as best we can. We have to play in a way that takes the referee out of the equation if we want to win and progress."

Forster was left on the bench for the first Udinese game as manager Lennon felt the Englishman was experiencing a dip in form, and picked Lukasz Zaluska ahead of him.

But the 23-year-old, on loan from Newcastle United again this season, responded well to that decision and has established himself in the first team once again.

Indeed, he has been a key man for his team as the Bhoys have reduced the lead held by Rangers in the SPL from 15 points to just four points in the space of only a few weeks.

Forster underlined his growing value to the team last weekend when he produced a crucial save from a late Eggert Jonsson penalty in the SPL showdown with Hearts at Parkhead.

Forster is convinced his side has enough of their stars performing well – up front especially – to win in Italy – and secure a lucrative tie with the likes of Ajax, Manchester City, Manchester United or Valencia, among others, next year.

He explained: "With the way we are playing in the SPL at the moment and the performances the lads have put in at home and abroad in Europe, I think we have every reason to be confident.

"No matter who plays, we know we can score goals. We have an abundance of talent up front and a lot of players throughout the team who can score. We will need to hit the target to progress.

"Hoops (Gary Hooper) was on the bench against Atletico Madrid in our last Europa League game at Parkhead and he had scored a hat-trick against St Mirren in the game before. I think that tells a story about where we are at.

"Georgios (Samaras) and Stokesy (Anthony) have also been playing fantastically well.

"Whoever the gaffer decides to play, we are confident that we can get at Udinese and score the goals we need to take us through to the knockout stages."