Pool boss sees good omen in tough UEFA draw

LIVERPOOL manager Gerard Houllier believes his side could not have been handed a tougher draw than Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Cup second round – but sees a positive omen in the pairing.

Steaua knocked out Southampton in the first round and this tie could prove tricky for the Reds. But it was a trip to Bucharest in 2000 which set Liverpool on the way to winning the UEFA Cup.

Houllier said: “I know we will not be playing the same club this time, but for the first tie of the season we won the trophy, we had to overcome a difficult match there against Rapid Bucharest. Maybe this is an omen because we ended up winning the tournament that season.

“This is the toughest tie we could have had from our section of the draw. But it is an exciting game against a club with a fine history. They are probably the best Romanian side in relation to European results over the years.

“There is no doubt Steaua are a very skilful side with excellent players.”

Manchester City take a step into the unknown against Polish side Groclin Grodzisk, but manager Kevin Keegan is relishing the challenge. Grodzisk sprung a shock in the first round by knocking out Hertha Berlin.

Keegan said: “I understand they have some internationals in their side. To beat a German team like Hertha Berlin in the last round is no mean feat.

“I I think we will be favourites as we are a Premiership side. But as they [Grodzisk] proved in the last round, it doesn’t mean to say you are going to progress.

“You have got to be a little bit more streetwise in Europe and I am expecting us to do well in this competition.”

Newcastle’s reward for seeing off Dutch side NAC Breda was a clash against FC Basle, who like the Magpies upset the odds to reach the second group phase of the Champions League last season.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd, responding to the Magpies’ draw, said: “I’m happy with that when you see what we could have had.”

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson added: “I think we’ve got a tough draw. I was looking at the list of teams that we could be drawn against and that was the one I didn’t want, to be honest.

In terms of match standard, it’s probably the toughest draw we could have got. They did well last year against Celtic and Liverpool and they’re way ahead in the [Swiss] league at the moment.”