Rab Douglas reckons his old club Celtic should not be afraid to shut up shop against Atletico Madrid tonight and try and pinch a precious Europa League point.

Former Hoops goalkeeper Douglas knows all about how difficult it is for the Parkhead club to get results away from home in Europe.

He helped Martin O'Neill's side record some memorable wins on the road in continental competition in his five seasons at the Glasgow giants.

Famously, the Scotland stopper kept clean sheets in historic triumphs over English opponents Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park and Liverpool at Anfield in the run to the Uefa Cup final in 2003.

But he also suffered his fair share of heartache as Celtic crashed to agonising defeats to, among others, Juventus in Italy, Porto in Portugal and Rosenborg in Norway.

But knowing that pursuing a memorable victory could heighten the chances of a chastening defeat, Douglas thinks on this occasion that close friend Neil Lennon should have no qualms about going for a draw in the Group I clash at the Vicente Calderon Stadium tonight.

He said: "Technically, foreign teams, especially top Spanish sides, are better than Scottish teams. That is sad to say, but it is true. It shows in the European games that our top sides play, especially away from home.

"But European games are special. In all our matches in Europe in my time at Celtic, in the Champions League and the Uefa Cup, we believed we could get a result. We didn't know when we were beaten.

"Having that never-say-die attitude is so important in European competition. On the road especially, you will spend long periods on the back foot, defending your own goal, and you can't let your head go down.

"I think a draw would be a great result for Celtic. If they returned to Scotland with a point in the bank then I am sure Lenny would be delighted. If they win their games at home they won't be far away."

Douglas produced one of his best performances in a Celtic shirt on Spanish soil back in 2002 in a Uefa Cup game with Valencia. The home team battered their visitors – only for the former Meadowbank Thistle, Livingston and Dundee player to thwart them with a succession of excellent blocks.

A late goal from Vicente – now on the books at npower Championship leaders Brighton – denied the then Scottish champions a draw.

And Douglas recalled: "Big Bobo Balde was immense for Celtic that night. All the boys were. They had a fair few chances and we managed to keep them at bay. We lost a goal from a soft free-kick that night.

"It was good to give ourselves a fighting chance at Parkhead. Unfortunately, we went out on penalties after winning 1-0 at home."

Douglas, now player/ assistant manager at Dundee, is confident current Celtic keeper Fraser Forster can emulate his heroics in the showdown with the La Liga cracks this evening.

He said: "I am quite sure Stevie Woods (Celtic goalkeeping coach) will have Fraser fully tuned in to what is required of him over in Spain. He is a big, solid keeper, who broke our clean sheet record at Celtic last year. I am quite sure he will step up to the plate."

Douglas's old team-mate and good pal Lennon has not enjoyed much success in Europe since succeeding Tony Mowbray as Celtic manager last year.

His team was dumped out of the Champions League and the Europa League last season in the qualifying rounds after losing over two legs to Braga and Utrecht respectively.

And the Hoops have only made it into the group stages of this year's Europa League after Sion – who beat them 3-1 in a play-off match in Switzerland last month – were kicked out of the competition by Uefa.

But Douglas thinks Lennon has done exceptionally well in his first job in management and believes he will have learned invaluable lessons from the European games he has been involved in so far.

He said: "I have been delighted at how well Neil has done as manager. Hopefully, he can push on this season and win the league.

"I think he is in the job on merit, on his abilities as a football coach and manager.

"When I was at Celtic, Lenny and Stilian Petrov were the two biggest moaners. But I think having a real will to win rubs off on the team.

"I know Lenny is looking forward to this European campaign. European nights at Parkhead are special nights. They will take care of themselves. The big thing for Celtic is trying to nick a result on the road."