Hearts will enter Europa League play off round as hopes of bye to group stage ended

Hearts will enter the Europa League play-off round after their hopes of a bye to the group stage were ended by Atalanta.

The Europa League winners were back in Serie A action this afternoon fresh off defeating Bayer Leverkusen midweek as they thumped Torino by three goals to secure a top four finish in Italy's top flight. That means that the Jambos will now need to negotiate a two-legged tie to reach the league stage of Europe's second tier competition - although they are still guaranteed the fall back of Europa Conference League regardless of the outcome.

Steven Naismith and Co enjoyed a fine season in the Scottish Premiership to finish third behind Celtic and Rangers to book their return to Europe once again. They watched on as Aberdeen enjoyed the guaranteed Euro group stage adventure this term after they themselves benefitted the season before, but they will be back for more next campaign. They had an outside chance to skip the play-off round in August, however it required the Italians to finish outside the top four in their domestic league after their Europa League triumph as well as Dortmund defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League Final.

But with Gian Piero Gasperini's men following up their win in Dublin with a guaranteed top four finish in Serie A, the outcome of the Champions League Final now doesn't matter. All eyes can now turn towards the Europa League play-off draw that takes place on August 5 before the two legged tie commences a couple weeks later on August 22 and August 29.

Should Hearts win at this stage they will go into the Europa League proper and play a further EIGHT matches in the competition. Defeat and it is another crack at the Europa Conference League with SIX further games minimum in that tournament.