Both Edinburgh clubs secure play-off spots in great night for Scottish football

Both of Edinburgh’s major football clubs secured Europa Conference League play-off spots in a memorable night for Scottish football.

Hibs set up a mouth-watering tie with English Premier League side Aston Villa with a 2-2 draw in Switzerland that secured a 5-3 aggregate win.

And Hearts scored a dramatic late winner to comeback from 3-1 down to beat Rosenborg 4-3 in their qualifier.

The Gorgie club will now face a trip to Greece to take on PAOK in their final hurdle before the group stages.

It means Scotland could potentially have five of the country’s biggest clubs in the group stages for the first time ever.

Last season’s top five Premiership sides remain in Europe as it approaches the play-off games in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.

Celtic are guaranteed Champions League group stage action and Rangers face PSV for a place at the top table knowing that even if they lose they will drop into the Europa League groups.

Aberdeen face a similar situation as they prepare for a Europa League play-off against BK Hacken with a worst case scenario.

Hibs and Hearts will now join them in next week’s showdowns after a dramatic night in the Europa Conference League.

Thursday’s results are also a major shot in the arm for Scotland’s coefficient with Luzern representing the second Swiss side to be knocked out by a Premiership this season as both countries compete for tenth place in the UEFA table.