Hearts learn Champions League opponents as Hibs and Motherwell discover Conference League draw

Hearts’ new manager will kick off their reign with a Champions League second qualifying round tie against Sturm Graz next month.

The Jambos, who are currently searching for a replacement for Rangers-bound boss Derek McInnes, earned a crack at Europe’s premier competition for the first time in 20 years by finishing second in the William Hill Premiership last term.

They were unseeded for Wednesday’s draw in Nyon and could have been pitted against either Austrian runners-up Graz or Turkish runners-up Fenerbahce, and they arguably landed the more winnable of those two ties.

Hearts will face Sturm Graz in the Champions League second qualifying round. | AFP via Getty Images

Graz, who finished two points behind champions LASK, faced two Scottish sides in last season’s Europa League main phase.

They defeated Russell Martin’s Rangers 2-1 in Austria at their 16,000-capacity Merkur Arena in early October and then lost 2-1 away to Celtic later that month in what proved to be Brendan Rodgers’ final home match in charge of the Hoops.

The first leg will take place in Graz on the week of July 21-22, with the return at Tynecastle the following week.

Hearts’ last tilt at Champions League qualification in 2006 was halted by AEK Athens after they overcame Bosnian side Siroki Brijeg in the previous round.

Motherwell and Hibs learn Conference League draw

Motherwell and Hibs also learned their opponents in the second qualifying round of the Conference League.

Motherwell, who are still searching for a new manager after Jens Berthel Askou left to take charge of Toulouse, will face Havnar Boltfelag of the Faroe Islands. The two teams met in the UEFA Cup in 1994, with Well winning 7-1 on aggregate. The first leg is due to take place at Fir Park on July 23, with the return a week later.

Hibs, who reached the Conference League play-off round last year, will face the winner of the first qualifying-round tie between FK Vllaznia of Albania and Kosovan side FC Malisheva. The Hibees are scheduled to be away in the first leg.

First team coach Eddie May (left) has departed Hibs. | SNS Group

Departures from Hibs and Hearts

Meanwhile, Eddie May has ended his 12-year stint at Hibs. The 58-year-old, who made over 100 appearances for the Hibees in the late 1980s, returned to the club in 2014 in a coaching capacity.

May, who has worked in several roles across the academy and first team during that time, was caretaker boss on two separate occasions in 2019 and became part of David Gray’s backroom team in 2024.

“I would like to personally thank Eddie for everything he has done for the football club and for the support he has given me over the years, both as a player and a coach,” said boss Gray.

“He has been a fantastic mentor, colleague and friend to me over the years and I am extremely grateful for all his support, advice and commitment.”

Elsewhere, Hearts midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof has returned to Australia to join Perth Glory on loan for the upcoming season. The 25-year-old joined the Jambos from Western Sydney Wanderers on a four-year deal in 2023.

After a promising first season, the Australian has been badly hindered by injuries over the past two years and has not played since last July.

“Calem Nieuwenhof has completed a loan move to Perth Glory,” said Hearts. “He’ll spend the 2026/27 campaign at the A-League side. Wishing you all the best down under, Calem.”