Story perspectives

Celtic, Rangers, Hearts host August Europa qualifiers

8/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Celtic drew LASK August 18-19 and hosts the return leg August 25-26.
Rangers host Jagiellonia Bialystok August 20, with a win leading to play-off versus Larne or Iberia 1999.
Hearts host AGF Aarhus or Sabah August 20, with second leg August 27 after beating Benfica.
Motherwell host HJK Helsinki August 13, with win sending them to play-off against Freiburg.
Hibernian host Shkendija Thursday, with second leg August 13 and win leading to IFK Gothenburg or Gent.

History

Historical Context

After Jock Stein’s Celtic became the first British side to lift the European Cup in Lisbon on 25 May 1967—scoring a record 196 goals that season—the club began a tradition of continental campaigns. Today Celtic, alongside Rangers, Hearts, Motherwell and Hibernian, face Europa Conference League qualifiers, a stage that still fuels Scottish clubs’ drive to repeat that historic breakthrough.

1 of 2

Story summary

Celtic drew LASK August 18-19 and hosts the return leg August 25-26.
Rangers host Jagiellonia Bialystok August 20, with a win leading to play-off versus Larne or Iberia 1999.
Hearts host AGF Aarhus or Sabah August 20, with second leg August 27 after beating Benfica.
Motherwell host HJK Helsinki August 13, with win sending them to play-off against Freiburg.
Hibernian host Shkendija Thursday, with second leg August 13 and win leading to IFK Gothenburg or Gent.

1 / 2