Steven Naismith's side have dropped into the third tier tournament after losing their Europa League play-off with Viktoria Plzen.
Hearts have been drawn against Kilmarnock's conquerers Copenhagen and Cercle Brugge in the Europa Conference League - and will also face Bundesliga side Heidenheim, Omonoia Nicosia, Petrocub from Moldova and Belarussians Dinamo Minsk.
The safety net of the Conference League offers a £5m reprieve though and the Jam Tarts can look forward to a trip to top seeds Copenhagen, who finished third in the Danish Super Liga last season and who dumped Derek McInnes' side out in the play-off after drawing 1-1 at Rugby Park on Thursday night to secure a 3-1 aggregate victory.
Hearts will be looking to finish in the top 24 of the 36-team league phase format. The top eight qualify directly for the last 16 while the clubs sitting ninth to 24th will contest a play-off to join them in the knockout stage. However, Plzen’s venture to the last eight of last season’s competition has offered a glimpse of what can be achieved. Naismith said after Thursday’s defeat: “There's a positive that we're in Europe until Christmas. In terms of the level and wins, the new set up of every European competition is trying to balance that out to an extent.
UEFA Europa Conference League Steven Naismith
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Europa League and Conference League draws: Man Utd, Spurs, Rangers, Chelsea and Hearts find out opponentsManchester United, Tottenham and Rangers have found out their Europa League first-phase opponents.
Read more »
Watch Hearts in Europa League plus Kilmarnock Conference League updatesWatch Sportscene coverage of Hearts v Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League and follow updates from Kilmarnock v Copenhagen in the Conference League.
Read more »
Europa League: Rangers face Tottenham and Manchester United - who plays who in Europa League?Rangers face both Manchester United and Tottenham in the new-look league phase of the Europa League.
Read more »
3 talking points as Hearts surrender Europa League shot amid rising alarm bellsA lacklustre 1-0 defeat on the night saw the Jambos crash out of the competition 2-0 on aggregate
Read more »
Craig Gordon not content breaking Hearts record as he eyes Europa League glamourGordon became Hearts' record European appearance holder last week but already has his sights set on more maroon milestones.
Read more »
Hearts vs Viktoria Plzen: Europa LeagueFollow live text commentary, score updates and match stats followed by match report from Hearts vs Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League.
Read more »