Belgian football manager, head coach of Hearts
Hearts and Hibs reach the Scottish League Cup semi-final after tense victories; Vrancken’s Hearts aim to extend unbeaten run and deny rivals a chance at glory as the Edinburgh derby adds spice to the Hampden clash.
Sebastien Pocognoli is naming his first Scotland squad as head coach, with a focus on integrating seven uncapped players and preparing a younger, attacking side. The camp in La Manga precedes fixtures against Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia, as the team aims to rebuild after the World Cup and push for Nations League results.
Scottish clubs Hearts, Rangers, Hibernian and Motherwell will learn their European paths after the draws in Nyon. Rangers face Jagellonia Bialystok in the Europa League third qualifying round; Hearts could meet Benfica if they advance from Sturm Graz; Hibs and Motherwell discover potential third-round opponents in the Conference League. The fixtures are two-legged and scheduled in August, with seedings shaping seeds and matchups.
United have already signed two midfielders this window and face injuries and departures that heighten the need for further reinforcements. Several targets are in play, with attention turning to a potential homegrown option as pre-season shows rising balance in midfield.
Hearts trail 4-0 after the first leg in Austria but have moved to strengthen their squad as they bid to overturn the deficit in the second leg. Keeper Schwolow is departing for Mainz while new signings prepare for their Tynecastle bow.
Benfica leads 6-0 at half-time, extending to a 6-1 final in the first leg, as Hearts are overwhelmed in Lisbon. Benfica dominates with early goals and set-pieces, leaving Hearts facing an uphill second leg in Edinburgh. Vrancken laments poor defending and calls for composure in the return.
Benfica have overwhelmed Hearts 6-1 in Lisbon, but Hearts forward momentum is the focus as the tie ends 7-2 on aggregate. The Edinburgh side now faces a Conference League route via Rapid Vienna while Benfica progress in Europe.
Kyziridis has left Hearts for a Turkish club after 42 appearances, six goals and 11 assists last season. The transfer, pegged at around £1.7m, is being finalised as Hearts cashes in on a homegrown talent who arrived on a free last summer.
Rangers have struggled at the start of the Derek McInnes era, with mixed results in domestic and European fixtures. The team is chasing improvement after a difficult run that has left them trailing Celtic in the league and facing a pivotal return leg in Europe.
Celtic has moved ahead in their Champions League play-off after a 3-0 first leg in Glasgow, with Nygren and Durán scoring and Duran adding a third. LASK created chances; Celtic are in a strong position for the return leg in Linz.
Rangers have taken a narrow lead in their Conference League qualifier after Ryan Naderi scored in the 50th minute, with Cammy Devlin sent off late on for a reckless challenge. The tie now moves to the Czech Republic for the return leg, where Rangers will aim to seal progress.
Hibs have taken a major step toward the league phase of the Europa Conference League after a disciplined goalless first leg against Gent in Ghent. Elding’s saved penalty keeps the tie alive ahead of the return at Easter Road.
Hearts have qualified for the Conference League play-off after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Rapid Vienna, then winning 4-3 on penalties. A red card to Tomas Magnusson forced a reshuffle, with Pierre Kabore and Calvin Miller delivering equaliser and stoppage-time drama. Beau Reus saved twice in the shoot-out as Hearts advance.
Three Conference League play-off first legs take place on Aug. 20. Hearts host Rapid Vienna at Tynecastle, Gent welcome Hibs in Gent, and Motherwell face Freiburg at Fir Park. All matches are not on UK TV; UK viewers can watch via club streams for a fee. Referees are named for each match.