Aberdeen and Hearts handed Europa Conference League…

Aberdeen and Hearts handed Europa Conference League seeding incentive to avoid fourth place and nightmare draw

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.

The way things are shaping up though, that’s going to be easier said than done. The final lineup of course won’t be confirmed until after the last balls have been kicked across the continent this season, but we do know that Scotland’s representatives won't be seeded for the draw. As things stand, a coefficient ranking of between 9.500 and 11.500 is required. With Scotland on 7.280, it’s not going to happen.

The threshold will likely change as more teams qualify, but already there are some tasty teams in the seeded section. Dundee United’s 7-1 aggregate mauling against AZ at the same stage last year is a painful warning as to what can happen when up against good opponents and you simply don’t turn up.

While it can’t be admitted publicly, there are already several names that either Barry Robson, Stephen Robinson, Lee Johnson and whoever is in charge of Hearts next season will want to avoid if they nab fourth spot.