Arsenal have been drawn to face Celtic later this month to reach the Champions League group stage.

ARSENAL and Celtic could be set to meet for a place in the lucrative Champions League group phase.

NEWCASTLE completed their convoluted journey into the UEFA Cup proper despite being shut out by Latvian minnows Ventspils.

IT MIGHT be a bit premature to suggest that Shay Given’s back is up against the wall, but with just nine days to go to Ireland’s European Championship game against Germany in Stuttgart, Ireland’s number one admits he is struggling with the back injury which has ruled him out of Newcastle United’s UEFA Cup game against FK Ventspils tonight.

Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane and vice-captain Shay Given are both out of Wednesday's friendly against Holland at Lansdowne Road.

NEWCASTLE BOSS Glenn Roeder hailed Titus Bramble for helping the Magpies avoid UEFA Cup embarrassment with a second-half winner against FK Ventspils in Riga.

NEWCASTLE boss Glenn Roeder has been warned UEFA Cup defeat to FK Ventspils in Latvia tonight could cost him the star quality the Magpies desperately need.

Glenn Roeder has promised Newcastle will do their “homework” on Latvian side FK Ventspils after drawing them in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.

Derry City will face Scottish First Division outfit Gretna in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup while Drogheda United must face Start of Norway.

Today’s first round draw in Monaco paired eircom League side Shelbourne, whose quest to reach the Champions League was ended on Tuesday by Deportivo la Coruna, against French League side Lille.

The draw for The UEFA Cup First Round is as follows:

UEFA Cup - results

THE G14 grouping of Europe’s most powerful club reluctantly backed down yesterday and agreed to accept controversial changes to the Champions League — starting next season.

Shamrock Rovers were handed an away first leg tie against Swedish club Djurgardens following the draw for the UEFA Cup qualifying round in Geneva today.