Celtic and Liverpool on target for UEFA Cup showdown

THE UEFA Cup draw has thrown up the enticing prospect of a quarter-final meeting between Liverpool and Celtic but before that Gerard Houllier must face a heart-to-heart in the fourth round with Auxerre and their veteran coach Guy Roux.

Both Houllier and Auxerre's legendary coach have suffered serious cardiac problems in the last couple of years and the French side's director of operations Gerard Bourgoin said: "It's the match of the heart attack victims.

"They had their illnesses at the same time, they were both cured in the same way, they both made an identical comeback and they both went to recover in Corsica.

"They have a lot in common. They know each other very well, but on the pitch it will be very difficult for us. We're the little unseeded club and they were seeded. They've more experience than we have."

Liverpool's chief executive Rick Parry was relieved not to have drawn Celtic in the fourth round, but it will be no easy task against an exciting French side who beat Arsenal 2-1 in at Highbury in the first stage of the Champions League.

Parry said: "I've spoken to Gerard and he's excited by the draw against Auxerre. They're a good team, a young team, and it's not an easy one although we do know a lot about them and players such as Djibril Cisse and (Khalilou) Fadiga."

Liverpool met Celtic in the UEFA Cup first round in 1997. They fought out a 2-2 first leg draw at Parkhead memorable for a stunning late equaliser by Steve McManaman and then drew 0-0 in the Anfield return, Liverpool going through on away goals.

"We played them five years ago in the UEFA Cup when Steve McManaman scored that excellent goal," said Parry. "There would be some atmosphere in the those two games but let's concentrate on winning the Auxerre ties before thinking about that."

Parry's views were echoed by Celtic's head of operations Ronnie Hawthorn after the Scots were rewarded for disposing of Celta Vigo by a draw against Stuttgart, who are currently one of the form teams in Germany.

Hawthorn said: "It's another big game for us and we have had a few already in this competition having played Blackburn and Celta Vigo.

"There is the prospect of playing Liverpool in the quarter-finals on the horizon but we're careful about not looking too far ahead, though I know everyone will be thinking about it.

"If it does happen many people will be relishing it, but to be fair to Stuttgart that's not going to be an easy match I'm have a feeling they will be a very professional outfit.

"We have a large following within Germany, and it is a tremendous boost to still be in Europe in the new year."

Stuttgart have some European pedigree. They reached the final of the Cup Winners Cup in 1998 when they were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea.

Club director Rolf Russmann said: "We are delighted to be going to such a famous venue as Celtic Park. We have a young team currently who have played very well to reach fifth place in the Bundesliga."

Italian league leaders Lazio appear have a straightforward path to the semis. They face Polish side Wisla Krakow in the fourth round and if successful would play the winner of Slavia Prague and Besiktas in the quarter-finals.