HEARTS’ Europa League opponents Viktoria Plzen have been boosted after the Czech League granted them a free weekend in between the play-off rounds.
Steven Naismith’s side travel to the Czech Republic this week before the second leg at Tynecastle for a place in the group stages, which would earn them a huge financial windfall.
2
2
But while Hearts face a journey to Lanarkshire to play Motherwell at Fir Park in a crucial Premiership encounter a week today on Sunday, Viktoria will have their feet up.
They were due to play against Sigma Olomouc that weekend, but they have requested a postponement and it’s been granted by Czech League bosses.
Czech football chiefs changed their domestic rules last season to improve their nation’s clubs’ chances of progress in European competition.
Their rules now state clubs can request a postponement for any qualifying round games in European competition without the consent of the opposition.
Read More Football Stories
Three other Czech teams still in Europe are also able to use the option this season, Sparta Prague, Slavia Prague and Mlada Boleslav.
Viktoria Plzen made it all the way to the Conference League quarter finals last season before going down to Fiorentina.
It was a run – coupled with the exploits of other Czech teams – which saw Scotland LOSE their automatic Champions League spot.
And with the Scottish Premiership currently in danger of seeing their second-placed side drop from Champions League qualifying to Conference League qualifying, the stakes could hardly be higher.
Plzen’s run was borne of an incredible defensive record which saw them concede just FIVE goals in SIXTEEN games.
Once they reached the group stages, they finished top of their Conference League group, winning all six games and conceding just once.
That strong defence also saw them beat Servette in the next round on penalties after two goalless draws.
Our New YouTube Channel
Subscribe to our new Scottish Sun Sport YouTube channel for all the latest football news, views and amazing moments.
We’ve got every major development covered from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and the rest of the Scottish Premiership.
Plus we have TWO brilliant new podcasts to watch every week…
MONDAY
Go Ballistic with Roger Hannah and special guest Kris Boyd will dissect all the weekend action and deliver their no-holds-barred reaction.
WEDNESDAY
Robert Grieve and Bill Leckie chew over the tastiest topics in Scottish football and offer their unique takes in their Coffee Club.
FRIDAY
Go Ballistic is back with Roger Hannah and top tipster Jim Delahunt looking ahead to the weekend games and analysing the biggest talking points.
Subscribe now and don’t miss a thing.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page