The race for third place in the Scottish Premiership is on the home straight.
Hearts’ win over Aberdeen at the weekend gave them a fighting chance of regaining their best of the rest spot, although a Dons victory over St Mirren on Wednesday night would seal it, providing the Jambos don’t triumph unexpectedly at Ibrox. The capital club cruised it last season, and banked the millions that came with guaranteed European group stage football in the Europa Conference League. Of course, Inverness CT could throw a huge spanner in the works by shocking Treble-chasing Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final.
But assuming Ange Postecoglou's men take care of business, whoever finishes third will have that cushion, giving them something of a free hit at the Europa League playoff round. Hearts were beaten by FC Zurich at the same stage last year, but were left rueing a Jorge Grant red card while well on top at home in the second leg following a narrow 2-1 loss in Switzerland. Fourth would see them enter the third qualifying stage of the UECL, which would have to be negotiated before even thinking about another group stage adventure.
