Manchester United and Newcastle will expect to reach the first group stage of the Champions League after avoiding the most dangerous opponents in yesterday's draw for the final qualifying round. Alex Ferguson's team will meet Croatia's NK Zagreb or Hungary's Zalaegerszegi over two legs next month, while Newcastle must overcome Norway's Lillestrom or Zeljeznicar of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
With Celtic to face Slovakia's MSK Zilina or Basle of Switzerland, it seems likely all three British clubs will progress to join Arsenal and Liverpool in the competition proper. They will be delighted not to have drawn Sporting Lisbon - Inter's opponents - Auxerre or Fenerbahce.
Manchester United host the Champions League final and will need to contest 18 games to make it there. Like Newcastle, they play the away leg first on August 13th or 14th, with the return a fortnight later. Celtic are at home first.
Zagreb are expected to face United, the indications being they are too strong for Zalaegerszegi. Newcastle are likely to face Lillestrom, who have lost their last six matches in a domestic season that began in April.
Basle, led by the former Tottenham coach Christian Gross, are Celtic's likely opponents. They are unbeatean four games into the Swiss season but Celtic's manager Martin O'Neill said: "After our performance against Ajax in Amsterdam last year at this stage of the competition, I don't think we should fear anyone."
