Money makes the ball go round

Four British clubs go into battle in the Champions League this week knowing that defeat is unthinkable.

That might sound like typical over the top football speak, but it's difficult to argue with. For Arsenal, Liverpool, Celtic and Rangers the prospect of missing out on dining at European football's top table is simply too horrendous to consider. Winning is everything.

Liverpool have been finalists in the competition in two of Rafa Benitez's three seasons, but they've often found the qualifying rounds tough going. Last year they squeezed past Maccabi Haifa 3-2 on aggregate, mainly thanks to a last minute Mark Gonzalez winner at Anfield. The Chilean didn't do much in a red shirt, but that goal more than paid for his transfer fee. Given Liverpool's subsequent run to final, it probably paid for several of his team-mates as well.

Money, of course, is what the Champions League is mostly about. Sure its winners go down in history, particularly if they achieve it in the manner that Benitez's boys did in 2005, but the revenue brought in from the competition is a vital factor in the continuing success of The Big Four in the Premiership. Tom Hicks and George Gillett may be shifting uncomfortably in their chairs in the heat of the South of France tomorrow afternoon.

Arsenal go to Prague. Failure to progress to the group stages will ensure that the spectre of Thierry Henry will hover over the Emirates for even longer this season, something that Wenger is only too aware of.

The Gunners should triumph over two legs, as should Liverpool against Toulouse (although tomorrow's afternoon kick off presents a problem) and if both progress they'll join Manchester United and Chelsea amongst the top eight seeds in the competition. Last season three of the semi-finalists were from the Premiership, and the fact that all three have strengthened over the summer suggests that we could see an English club in the final for the fourth year running.

For the Old Firm in Scotland, the Champions League presents a different opportunity. Given the relative weakness of the Scottish League, it is European football that helps Celtic and Rangers attract better players, something that both have done this summer.

Rangers entertain the club formerly known as Red Star Belgrade tonight (they are still known as Red Star Belgrade here because it's easier to spell than Crvena Zvezda) while Celtic will run out on to Spartak Moscow's plastic pitch tomorrow. Tough games both, but both Glasgow giants should feel confident.

Both can never really harbour too many hopes of winning the competition, but the definition of success for both has changed in recent years after good runs to the second round. The quarter finals will be the next target.

The debate about whether or not the huge amounts of money generated by the Champions League is good for football is for another day. Sure it means that no-one outside the Big Two in Scotland or the Big Four in England stands a chance of winning the league. The fact is that the money is there, and Messrs Wenger, Benitez, Strachan and Smith will be under pressure to get their share of it.