CELTIC were yesterday drawn against Slovakian unknowns EC Kosice in the UEEA Cup qualifying round.

Britain's first European Cup winners in 1967 haven't reached the quarter finals of a Continental competition since 1979-80 when they lost to Real Madrid in the Champions Cup.

Manager Tommy Burns and company are determined to improve on that dismal record and now big money buys Alan Stubbs and Paolo di Canio are set for competitive debuts in far flung Kosice on Tuesday, August 6th.

That's the date for the first leg of the UEFA Cup qualifying round with Aberdeen and Barry Town of Wales also handed away trips off the beaten track.

Barry should stay at Jenner Park for their second leg against Hungarians Budapest Vasutas as they try to extend their European adventure while Aberdeen face Lithuanians Zalgiris Vilnius following yesterday's draw in Geneva.

Roy Aitken's Aberdeen are back in Europe two seasons after being embarrassed by Latvians, Skonto Riga.