Later today Heart of Midlothian will discover the identity of their Europa League play-off opponents. 

The draw excites head coach Steven Naismith. Not just the prospect of who the team will face, with 22 possible opponents, but the challenge of balancing the demands of European and domestic football but also a healthy and competitive squad.

Hearts could encounter a four-game league spell where they face Hibs, Rangers, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock after playing in Europe. Three of those fixtures are away from home.

“I don’t think it was just Aberdeen who struggled with it, I think Scottish clubs in general struggle with it," Naismith said of the demand. “There are no rights and wrongs, it’s what works best because if you’ve got too big a squad and you’ve not got the games you’ll have discontent within it. So it’s a balancing act.

“And you want to get some young players through from the academy, so it’s about finding that balance. I think we are equipped. I think we’ve got enough quality and enough competition in each position, backed up by the younger players.

“There are a couple of exceptions of Lewis [Neilson] and Aidan [Denholm] going out on loan but the need for them to play consistently at this time in their career will benefit us in a year’s time more than them being part of a squad where they get limited minutes.”

Read more

Hearts know if they lose the play-off they will drop into the Conference League league phase. It means there is greater excitement than any trepidation with a number of eye-catching opponents they could face.

"Yeah, it's good, I experienced it a lot as a player and even the excitement of the draw is good because it gives you real focus to know who you are going to come up against," he said.

“It’s what you work so hard for last season to get into this position and my job and the coaches’ job is to get the players ready for it but also give them the understanding and not wasting the opportunity.”