Aberdeen land eastern European adventure as major update given on Hearts clash amid storm
A tie against Romanian and Kosovan opposition awaits Thelin and his team
Aberdeen will need to overcome either opposition from Romania or Kosovo to reach the main phase of the Europa League after the draw for the play-off round was made on Monday.
The Dons have been paired with the winner of the third qualifying round between FCSB of Romania or Kosovan outfit Drita.
Aberdeen will be at home first and the play-off ties will take place across two legs on back-to-back Thursdays on August 21 and August 28.
Jimmy Thelin’s men secured their place in the play-off round of the Europa League by defeating Celtic in last season’s Scottish Cup final and should they lose to either FCSB or Drita, they will drop into the Conference League.
Hibs and Dundee United have also discovered their potential Conference League play-off opponents should they make it past the third qualifying round.
If Hibs beat Partizan Belgrade in the third qualifying round they will face Cypriots AEK Larnaca or Legia Warsaw of Poland.
Likewise, should Dundee United get past Rapid Vienna they will meet AIK Stockholm of Sweden or Hungarians ETO FC Gyor.
EPL side Crystal Palace have been drawn to face either Fredrikstad or FC Midtjylland. The Eagles are scheduled to face the winners of the third qualifying round tie between Norwegians Fredrikstad or Danish club Midtjylland at Selhurst Park on August 21, with the second leg a week later.
Palace qualified for the Europa League after their FA Cup win over Manchester City in May, but were demoted to the Conference League after breaching UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership..
They have submitted an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but with that decision not expected until next week, they remain in the draw for Europe’s third-tier competition.
Other notable draws
If Northern Ireland champions Linfield beat Vikingur of the Faroe Islands they will take on Croatian side HNK Rijeka or Shelbourne of the Republic of Ireland for a place in the main draw.
Another Northern Irish club, Larne, will play Ballkani of Kosovo or League of Ireland Shamrock Rovers if they overcome Portuguese side Santa Clara.
Meanwhile, the Dons have confirmed that Monday night’s Premiership opener away at Hearts is set to go ahead despite much of Scotland being buffeted by high winds.
An amber weather warning has been placed across much of the country as Storm Floris lands gusts of up to 60mph. However, the plan is for the match to go ahead.
Aberdeen’s statement on Hearts match
Aberdeen posted on X: “Following dialogue with both the SPFL and Heart of Midlothian, we have been advised that as things stand, tonight’s SPFL Premiership match at Tynecastle will go ahead as scheduled despite high winds across the country.
“Please take care when making your way to and from the Capital and should anything change, we will endeavour to update as soon as possible.”
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