UEFA Cup tussle for Rangers and Gretna

RANGERS could next season face the uncomfortable prospect of beginning their European campaign in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup while First Division club Gretna are excused until the first round proper.

This reward awaits Gretna should they lift the Scottish Cup by defeating Hearts at Hampden next weekend. For that reason, and bearing in mind their titanic battle to finish in second place in the SPL, Rangers will now hope Hearts triumph at Hampden and thus save Paul Le Guen's side from an additional unwanted commitment as the Frenchman settles in at Ibrox.

Rangers will, however, be seeded at whatever stage they enter, while Gretna will only be seeded should they be required to play in the second qualifying round.

Gretna said yesterday they will play their ties at Motherwell's Fir Park, and if they beat Hearts the club will begin their maiden European adventure in the first round on 14 and 28 September. A loss in next weekend's final would mean their remarkable debut will come a month sooner, in the second qualifying round on 10 and 24 August.

UEFA has confirmed that Hearts have no need to pay attention to the score from the Champions League final on 17 May, since they will enter the Champions League in the second qualifying round should either Arsenal or Barcelona lift the trophy.

But Celtic have reason to support Barcelona. Should the Catalan club win in Paris then Celtic will go straight into the group stage of the Champions League next season. If the English club lift the trophy, the Scottish champions will start seeded in the third qualifying round.

Hibs are now confirmed as Scotland's participants in the Intertoto Cup. They will start in the second round on 1 and 8 July, facing Latvian side Dinaburg or HB Torshavn of the Faroe Islands.

Taken from the Scotsman