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Hearts and Hibs Conference League play-off opponents confirmed as path to cash windfall mapped out Hearts and Hibs Conference League play-off opponents confirmed as Edinburgh pair discover who’s next in Europe. Hearts and Hibs have discovered who they will face in this month’s Conference League play-off matches, following the conclusion of third round qualifiers. It’s Rapid Vienna for Hearts as they face their second Austrian opponent this summer after losing to Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifiers last month. The Jambos lost on aggregate against Benfica in the Europa League’s third qualifying round and now must defeat Rapid to ensure league phase football on the continent this season. Hibs meanwhile will face Belgian side Gent after overcoming their tricky third round qualifier against Shkendija. David Gray’s side won the first leg at home 2-1 last week, setting themselves up for play-off round clashes featuring both Premiership clubs from Edinburgh that take place over August 19/20 and August 26/27, courtesy of a 0-0 draw in Skopje. Progression to the lucrative league phase would be worth well into seven figures for Hearts and Hibs. How did Hearts and Hibs’ European opponents get on? The Jambos knew going into the second leg against Benfica that Rapid Vienna were to be their next opponent, having lost 6-1 in Lisbon, all but ending their Europa League hopes in a competitive sense. Their Conference opponents showed their mettle by thrashing Estonian side Paide Linnameeskond 6-1 on aggregate, finishing the job on Wednesday with a 2-0 victory. They have started their domestic campaigns with two wins and take on Grazer AK this Sunday as Hearts warm up for the match on Premier Sports Cup last 16 duty at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Boss Johannes Hoff Thorup said: “I’m satisfied that we advanced without any major problems. Overall, it was a professional performance. I was hoping for a bit more pace and more quality in the attacking third. “On the positive side, apart from that one chance, we allowed virtually nothing. We didn’t waver; we liked how we controlled the game. But there were many things I wasn’t satisfied with. I made sure to let the players know that at halftime.” What came next was on a knife edge for Hibs, meanwhile. They needed to avoid defeat away from home and Gent’s match with Swedish outfit Goteborg only stood at 1-0 to the second leg hosts after their victory in Sweden. Gent were held at home but did just about enough to sneak through with a 1-1 home draw, Matties Volckaert giving them breathing room, before Saidou Alioum provided late drama with a late leveller on the night. Hibs host Partick Thistle at Easter Road in the cup.