Rovers relishing Celtic tie

Blackburn chief executive John Williams declared Rovers’ UEFA Cup draw against Celtic as “absolutely fantastic”.

The Premiership side were pitted against the Scottish champions in a second-round game which is already being billed as the ‘Battle of Britain‘.

Adding to the tie is the fact that Rovers are managed by former Rangers boss Graeme Souness – and that ex-Rovers striker Chris Sutton is now at Parkhead.

And Williams said: “It is an absolutely fantastic draw, especially with all the connections between the clubs.

“It is obviously going to be built up as the big British European game and it should create a lot of interest, so we expect a full house.

“There is no travelling abroad so that is good for administration and good for the fans. It couldn’t be a better draw.”

Celtic star Jackie McNamara agreed that the Souness connection would be the main “talking point” of the game, which will be played at Parkhead on October 31 and then two weeks’ later at Ewood Park.

He said: “It’s a fantastic draw. It’s good for our supporters and it’s one we’re happy with.

“Obviously with Graeme Souness there that will be the talking point. It won’t be just Celtic and Blackburn either the whole of Britain will be looking forward to it.

“We will try not to concede at home and if we do that then we have got a good chance of going down there and doing something.”

The two teams had contrasting passages into today’s draw, which was made in Nyon. Celtic were easy 10-1 aggregate conquerors of Lithuania’s FK Suduva in the first round, while Graeme Souness’ side needed to hold off a late fightback by Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia before going through on away goals.

Elsewhere, Leeds were drawn against Hapoel Tel-Aviv, last year’s conquerors of Chelsea in the same competition.

Terry Venables’ side will have home advantage in the first leg – but they are still waiting for confirmation as to the venue for the away leg.

Security reasons mean the Israelis play their European home games in Bulgaria at the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium – Levski Sofia’s ground.

However, Sofia play their second leg to Sturm Graz at home on November 14 - the same night Leeds are scheduled to play the away leg of their game against Tel Aviv.

A UEFA spokesman has revealed there are three alternatives to accommodate the games.

Tel Aviv can propose an alternative, the legs of the match could be reversed, or UEFA could switch Tel Aviv’s home leg to Tuesday, November 12, 48 hours before the scheduled kick-off.

Fulham, conquerors of Hajduk Split over two legs, were drawn against Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb – and will be away in the first leg.

Ipswich, who were drawn against Slovan Liberec, will also have home advantage in the first leg.

George Burley’s Division One side saw off FK Sartid over two legs in the first round, with Marcus Bent’s penalty in Yugoslavia on Thursday proving decisive.

Burley said: “They beat Dinamo Tbilisi in the last round and the Czech Republic are a good footballing nation. It’s a tricky tie for for us. It will be very tough, but we will look forward to it.

“We enjoyed our time in Europe last season. That was a great experience. We have got some good young players and that will develop their young talent.”

When asked whether another good run in Europe will hinder their promotion push - it arguably did not help in their unsuccessful battle against relegation from the Premiership last term – Burley told Sky Sports: “It’s a difficult one.

“The number of games we play can make it more difficult for the league programme, but we are not going to throw away European games. We want to go as far as possible and do well. We will give it our best shot.”