Keane for Euro adventure

Livingston look forward to Europe for the first time

Livingston chairman Dominic Keane is taking nothing for granted after his side were drawn against Liechtenstein side Vaduz in the qualifying round of the Uefa Cup.

But it was a favourable draw for the Scots on their first venture into European competition.

And Keane believes they have a good chance of progressing against a club from a country that are the whipping boys of European football.

"I think quite a lot of people will be expecting us to progress past this round," he said.

It is beyond our wildest expectations

Livi chairman Dominic Keane

"But we aren't looking at it from that perspective because we are not experienced enough to be thinking like that."

Vaduz were beaten 9-4 on aggregate by Croatians NK Varteks at the same stage last season after a 3-3 draw at their 4,500 capacity Rheinpark Stadium.

But, because Liechtenstein does not have its own professional league, Vaduz play in the Swiss Second Division and their multi-national squad ended the season second top.

Livingston have themselves risen from humble beginnings seven years ago to qualify for the Uefa Cup after their first season in Scotland's top flight.

Keane said: "Who would have thought that on the 21 June 2002 all the staff at Livingston would be crowded round a computer looking at the Uefa Cup website for the draw?

"It is beyond our wildest expectations and we just hope we can go on and do well for Livingston and Scotland.

Vaduz have a multi-national squad

"It is a good opportunity for us and it would be great if we could make the first-round proper, but there is an awful lot of work to be done over the close season."

Other than Rangers and Celtic, Scottish teams have struggled to make an impact in the Uefa Cup in recent years, with both Kilmarnock and Hibernian suffering early disappointments last year.

"Some of these games come early in the season when teams might not yet be fully focused or players haven't had the time to gel," said Keane.

"We know how difficult it can be to progress, but we have given ourselves a chance."

Livingston had been seeded for the draw and could have been paired with Liepaja Metalurgs (Latvia), Lokomotiv Tbilisi (Georgia), or Sliema Wanderers (Malta).