THE second round draws handed to Newcastle United and Liverpool in the UEFA and Cup Winners' cups should have further lessened the threat of English interests in Europe being totally wiped out by Christmas. In Scotland, however, Aberdeen have been less fortunate.

Liverpool face another negotiable hurdle in the Cup Winners' Cup. Roy Evans's team will meet Sion, from the French speaking part of Switzerland, for a place in the quarter finals.

Underestimating Swiss opposition can be a dangerous business as Grasshoppers recently demonstrated in defeating Rangers but with the opening leg in Sion it will be surprising if Liverpool are beaten. Nevertheless, Sion's brisk elimination of the Ukrainians Niva Vinnitsa, 6-0 on aggregate will have put Anfield on its guard.

Newcastle have what looks like a more demanding task against Ferencvaros, the Budapest club that once produced such talents as Florian Albert and Sandor Matrai. Hungarian football continues to decline but Ferencvaros have just knocked out Olympiakos 5-3 on aggregate so something of the old quality clearly lingers on.

Like Liverpool, Newcastle have the advantage of playing the away leg first.

There is not a lot left in Europe for Scottish football to consider and there may soon be even less.

Aberdeen, having beaten Barry Town, now face Brondby, Danish conquerors of Liverpool last season, in the UEFA Cup and may well struggle. Brondby routed another Swiss side, Aarau, 7-0 on aggregate in the first round.