Celtic, Liverpool get favourable UEFA draws

Celtic will face Czech side FK Teplice in the third round of the UEFA Cup.

Celtic will face Czech side FK Teplice in the third round of the UEFA Cup.

The Glasgow side dropped into the competition after finishing third in Champions League Group A.

The draw seems straightforward for the Hoops but it should be noted that Teplice knocked out 2002 UEFA Cup winners Feyenoord in the second round.

Celtic were on course to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League until they conceded a late penalty and lost 3-2 to Lyon on Wednesday night.

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Martin O'Neill's men reached the final of this tournament last season but were beaten 3-2 after extra-time by Porto in Seville.

Liverpool face a third trip to eastern Europe this season to face Bulgarian side Levski Sofia. The Reds have already beaten Olimpija Ljubljana and Steaua Bucharest in the competition this year.

Newcastle will fancy their chances of reaching the last 16 after being drawn against Norwegian side Valerenga. The Magpies will travel to Scandinavia for the first leg on February 26th with the return match at St James' Park scheduled for March 3rd.

UEFA Cup, 3rd Round draw:

Brondby v Barcelona
Parma v Genclerbirligi
Benfica v Rosenborg
Marseille v Dnipro
Celtic v FK Teplice (Czech Republic)
Perugia v PSV
Groclin Dyskobolia v Bordeaux
Valencia v Besiktas
Galatasaray v Villarreal
Club Brugge v Debrecen
Sochaux v Inter Milan
Liverpool v Levski Sofia (Bulgaria)
Spartak Moscow v Mallorca
Gaziantepspor v Roma
Auxerre v Panathinaikos
Valerenga (Norway) v NewcastleFirst legs to be played on February 26th. Second legs on March 3rd.