Mjallby Confident of Progressing

Johan Mjallby has insisted that Celtic・s bid for the UEFA Cup remains very much alive after last night・s 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

It・s no surprise that the odds on Martin O・Neill・s side reaching the semi-finals have been lengthened in the wake of yesterday・s closely contested first leg, and Mjallby admits that Emile Heskey・s 17th minute goal has left the Hoops with a veritable mountain to climb. Nevertheless, Celtic・s Swedish centre-half is adamant that he and his team-mates have the firepower to shoot down Gerard Houllier・s men in their own back yard.

：We still have a great chance,； he told the Celtic wesbsite. ：Everyone will think that Liverpool have the upper hand and, generally speaking, 1-1 is a good result in Europe away from home. But we are always capable of scoring goals, and we have shown that already this season when we have gone away from home. I・m still hoping for the best.

：I think we competed well against them. We certainly had a great start, and the main disappointment for me is that we let them back into the game. I think we all knew the consequences of losing a goal because Liverpool are so disciplined.

：Defensively, they・re one of the best in the business, there・s no doubt about that. They don・t give the opposition anything, so I always knew it would be tough for us to go on and score some more goals.

：But we・re still in this tie, definitely. We・ll go down to Anfield with a positive attitude and, if we can get a goal in the first 25 minutes, we will have a very good chance of going through.；

The thought of facing Owen, Heskey et al for a second time certainly holds no fears for Mjallby. Indeed, while he is just a few weeks into his comeback from a thigh injury, the big Swede is already bullish mood concerning his own form.

：I think I am back to my best already,； he said. ：It was a great boost to play against Rangers last week, when I thought the defence played very well as a unit. This game was a bit tougher, but the confidence is more or less there again, so it・s looking good.；

Yet, pleased as he is with his own progress, Mjallby admitted he could have no quibbles with the sponsors・ choice for man-of-the-match.

：Yeah, Bobo was immense,； he admitted. ：It・s always a pleasure to play alongside him because he・s so strong in the air, and he・s showed this season that he also has a bit of skill as well. He was magnificent last night, as he has been for a while now, and you always know to expect 100 per cent from him. He・s a great asset to us.；