Bizarrely, Agathe insists it was Milla who advised him how to survive in the tougher, more physical environment of the Scottish Premier League, teaching him the defensive disciplines he would require to become a success. Those words have helped Agathe in his role in Martin O'Neill's side, where the system requires him to cover close to the entire right side of the pitch.

Milla made the headlines during the Italia 90 World Cup, when it was suggested he was older than the 38 years his Cameroon team claimed he was. He was called up four years later when Cameroon qualified again for the World Cup Finals in the United States. But to Agathe, he will always remain the ultimate professional, who was a guiding light in the early stages of his career.

He said: 'I was there with him at Montpellier. And he wanted to finish his playing days in La Reunion but Cameroon called on him for the 1994 World Cup. He is a great professional. I've played with a lot of players that were older and more experienced than me but Roger Milla and Franck Sauzee were guys I could speak to about anything.

'When I moved from Montpellier to Scotland, Milla said to me I would have to do a lot more defending. I learned from him to have more defensive qualities in my play and that has helped me do more here.'

Agathe has an ideal opportunity this evening at Stranraer to add to his Celtic goal tally, which is stalled at two after signing from Hibernian in September. But the 25-year-old believes he has enough on his mind patrolling up and down the right flank - a job which tests his fitness and defensive work to the limit.

He said: 'I don't feel I should be scoring more goals because I have to travel so far on my side of the pitch. My duty is to cross and set up chances. I can get more involved if we are 4-0 up in games but if we are 0-0, then I must be disciplined and stay in my position.

'When I first came to Scotland, I was asked to play as a striker. But then at Celtic it was right midfield or right wing. At this level, I am learning a lot more about this position. I have to defend as well because we only play with three defenders at the back. It's hard work but I enjoy it.

'Against Stanraer, I know we will need to be very focused. I hope the narrow park doesn't make life too difficult for me.' His boss, O'Neill, won two English League Cups as Leicester City manager but failed during his playing days to make an impact in the FA Cup. A Scottish Cup success at the first attempt would go some way to erasing that bad memory.

He said: 'I still hold great affection for cup football. I think that last season we all regretted that Manchester United were not involved in the FA Cup. It demeaned the competition.