Scottish Sides Drawn Against Various European Opponents in Play-Off Rounds
The play-off rounds of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League have drawn out a mix of Scottish teams against various European opponents. Celtic have been matched up with LASK from Austria, while Rangers face either Larne or Iberia Tbilisi depending on their result against Jagiellonia Bialystok.
Celtic vs. LASK
Celtic will host the first leg of their Champions League play-off match against LASK on 18 and 19 August. The Austrian champions, who won their domestic title for the second time last season (their first since 1965), have a lower coefficient than Celje but are from a higher-ranked league. Given that Celtic could have faced teams like Viking Stavanger, Celje, Ararat-Armenia, Kairat Almaty, Levski Sofia, AGF Aarhus, or Sabah instead, this is likely the toughest draw for them.
Rangers vs. Potential Opponents
Rangers will be at home in their Europa League play-off match on 20 August if they defeat Jagiellonia Bialystok. They could face either Larne of Northern Ireland or Iberia Tbilisi from Georgia, with the latter being a higher-ranked team due to its Georgian league status.
Hearts vs. AGF Aarhus or Sabah
Heart of Midlothian will take on AGF Aarhus of Denmark or Sabah of Azerbaijan if they defeat Benfica in their Europa League play-offs. Should they lose, Hearts could face Paide Linnameeskond of Estonia or Rapid Vienna of Austria in the Conference League play-off round.
Motherwell vs. Freiburg
Motherwell will have a home tie against German Bundesliga side Freiburg if they defeat HJK Helsinki. Freiburg was beaten by Aston Villa in last season's Europa League final and is considered a tough opponent for Motherwell, who are rising to the challenge under Johansson.
Hibernian vs. IFK Gothenburg or Gent
Hibernian will take on either IFK Gothenburg of Sweden or Gent of Belgium if they defeat Shkendija of North Macedonia in their Europa League play-offs.
