Hearts Conference League opponents confirmed as six-match schedule brings Ligue 1 glamour tie
Here’s who Hearts will play in the league phase of the Conference League
Hearts have had their six Conference League opponents revealed for the league phase.
The draw at the Grimaldi Forum has pitted the Premiership side against Monaco, where the draw was being held. A pot one team, they’ll travel to Tynecastle, while a trip to Cyprus at Pafos emerged from pot two. Bosnia’s FK Borac Banja Luka were the home fixture from pot three and pot four brings Trabzonspor away in Turkey. FC Nordsjælland journey from Denmark in the final home game and Swiss champions Thun from pot six are the final away slot.
Official dates for the fixtures and times are to be announced by Sunday at the latest but they present exciting ties for fans, players and staff to look forward to. Progress to the league phase was secured on Wednesday night after a 4-4 play-off over two legs with SK Rapid ended with penalty shootout joy in Vienna. European qualifiers started in the Champions League for Hearts where they were knocked into the Europa League by fellow Austrian side Sturm Graz. Benfica then put them into the Conference where those in maroon have now prevailed. Head coach Wouter Vrancken and his side are now preparing for Saturday’s Premiership match with St Johnstone.
What Hearts said about win over Rapid SK
Vrancken said: “Amazing, amazing. When you see the game, we played a really bad first half, a little bit similar as we did in Benfica. We made agreements, we had a game plan, and we didn't follow up, we didn't show the guts to follow up. When you play against a side like Rapid Vienna, when you don't show it, they can play through you.
"We were already pretty angry at half-time, and we came out, we did much better. We took the game in our hands, we were dominant at that moment. This is already a mental strength, coming back on 1-0 down and coming back like this.
"I think they have to learn that they're a good team, that they're good players, that they can show it and show the guts every time, every week, every game again. I think we can make more steps in the coming weeks and hope that we can take the steps as soon as possible, but the work ethic that the players put into it, I'm really proud to work with this group."
When are the league phase matches in the Conference League?
Matchday 1: October 15
Matchday 2: October 22
Matchday 3: November 5
Matchday 4: November 26
Matchday 5: December 10
Matchday 6: December 17