Hearts drawn against tough opponents in £6m Europa League play-off – dates and details
The Tynecastle side are striving to reach the tournament’s group phase
Hearts were drawn against Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih from Ukraine or Czech side Viktoria Plzen in today’s Europa League play-off draw. The winners of that tie will take on the Tynecastle side for the chance to progress to the tournament’s new-look league phase – which carries a financial reward of around £6m in total.
UEFA staged the draw at their headquarters in Nyon this afternoon and Hearts are guaranteed two difficult matches regardless who they face. The first team drawn out of the bowl will play the first leg at home and the second away. Any change to this is rare but will be confirmed by 5pm today.
Since Hearts were drawn second, they are scheduled play the first leg away from home.
Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih are not permitted to stage UEFA matches in Ukraine due to Russia’s invasion, so they are playing European ties in Kosice, Slovakia.
Should Plzen prevail, then the Tynecastle side will be heading to Czech Republic. Steven Naismith and his players are guaranteed a tough test either way.
