It’s nearly four months since Hearts started looking out their passports for Europe.
And today they’ll find out who stands between them and the group stage of the Europa League. The draw for the playoff round takes place at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon this afternoon with the Jambos one of six priority 1 teams in the hat. They’re safe in the knowledge that defeat at this stage will still see them drop into the group stage of the Europa Conference League, meaning they’ll be playing in continental competition until at least November.
But Robbie Neilson will be going all out to make it through in the more prestigious competition. His last foray into this tournament ended with an embarrassing defeat to Maltese minnows Birkirkara six years ago, and the Tynecastle boss will be keen to make up for that by guiding his club back to the group stage for the first time since 2004, when he featured at right back as Hearts were the first Scottish side to make it that far in what was then the UEFA Cup.
