Draw keeps Grant's hopes alive

WELCOME TO Heaven. Avram Grant was courtesy personified when he assessed the Champions League tie early next month that will shape Chelsea's season and, perhaps, his own future too. "Istanbul is my favourite city for vacations," he smiled, making light of the quarter-final first leg with Fenerbahce at their intimidating Sukru Saracoglu stadium.

"It's a beautiful city, the only place where you can see West and East in the same place. I've been there many times with my children, with my family. The people are nice and I hope they will give me nice hospitality, although I don't think I will be quite so welcome this time."

Somebody up there has an eye out for Chelsea. After a straightforward group-phase draw they pulled the unheralded Greek champions Olympiakos in the last 16 and there was nobody at Stamford Bridge who did not welcome the pairing with Fenerbahce, who rank with Schalke as one of the unfancied teams remaining.

As ever, Grant spoke of respect for his opponents and their achievements. This is the first time Fenerbahce have progressed beyond the group stage and home victories over Internazionale and Sevilla, in the last 16, are not to be taken lightly.

Yet the draw has fired his hopes of fulfilling his stated ambition - to reach the Champions League final. Roman Abramovich, the billionaire Russian owner, craves Champions League glory and has already booked lavish hotel suites in Moscow, the venue for the final.

"I don't know of one owner, one manager or one player for whom the Champions League is not the dream," said Grant. "You need to have that stamp to be a big club and you don't get it before you get to the final of the Champions League."

Grant was backed yesterday by Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, to stay in charge into next season - "We appointed Avram in September on a four-year contact; it was never preconditional on this season," he said - and the manager shrugged off his status as a Champions League novice. "I have all the football experience needed," he said.

© 2008 Guardian Service

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times