FORMER Dell idol Terry Paine is backing Saints for a good run in Europe.

Paine was Southampton's match-winner when they made their first excursion into Europe 34 years ago. Now he believes their form, particularly away from St Mary's, will make them a tough act to topple in the UEFA Cup.

That's despite the fact Nick Barmby of Leeds was the last visitor to score at Southampton on April 19 last season.

"Their away form is quite outstanding," said Paine, "and if they can take that into Europe, they will go a long way."

Paine presents Sky TV's biggest football programme in South Africa and watches regular footage of his old club.

"After finishing eighth and reaching the FA Cup Final, people's expectations were high in Southampton," says Paine. "They expected the team to get even better this season, and so far they have.

"I said before Kevin Phillips was signed that he would be just the kind of player to bring something extra out of James Beattie.

"When the deal finally went through I was delighted, and I'm pleased to see that the partnership is really starting to gel.

"Beattie is a better player for having Phillips there and I just wish now that Sven-Goran Eriksson would give him a run in the England side.

"His type of game would really ruffle the Turks."

When Saints took their first steps in Europe against the Norwegian part-timers Rosenborg Trondeim in the 1969/70 season, Paine played a key role in overturning a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of the Fairs Cup tie.

He recalled: "We beat them 2-0 at The Dell with goals from Ron Davies and myself, but in those days it was all new to us - a bit of a learning curve.

"The current Saints side are much better prepared for Europe than we were. They play against top foreign players in the Premiership week in week out. And they have English, Swedish, Norwegian and Welsh interantionals who are used to continental opposition. So although Saints haven't played in Europe for a number of years, I can't honestly see that being a problem."

Paine admits they have landed one of the toughest draws in Steaua Bucharest. "I remember them winning a boring European Cup final against Barcelona, and I suppose at this early stage of the competition they represent one of the toughest draws.

"But Saints should have too much for them. They are strong defensively, with Claus Lundekvam and Michael Svensson probably the best pair of centre backs in the Premiership, and can score goals. And for those reasons they are well equipped to do well in Europe."

Paine, who played over 700 games for Saints and won 19 England caps, admitted that in their early days in Europe, Saints did get caught out by the continental style of play - particularly their ability to counter-attack.

But he said: "You can worry too much about these kind of games. The most important thing is to play to your own strengths. If you keep on trying to do what you are good at, you have a much better chance."

Tonight's tie and the home match against Middlesbrough this Saturday are both sold out.