Can We Do The Three Card Trick?

SO that's the Europa League play-off round draw then - not too bad and we just might pull-off the three card trick of having three Scottish clubs through to the group stages.

No, I haven't finally misplaced the few remaining marbles I have; I can see Celtic, Hearts and Rangers all qualifying for the group stages. But, what about Hearts - facing a side from the English Premiership? you ask.

So what, it's only Spurs, a team with a flaky defence, no idea about consistency and, we understand, Mr Redknapp has already said he will be using his fringe players in Europe. Such are the riches to be had from the Premiership, unless their teams are in the Champions League, which brings even-greater riches, they're not too bothered. 'Arry will approach Europe from the viewpoint of blooding kids for the Premiership, that's his main focus.

His season kicks off with a home match with Everton, then they go to Hearts, then Manchester United, then entertain Hearts, before entertaining Man City. I reckon I know which of those games 'Arry rates as the least-important and they don't involve teams from the North-West of England. 'Arry also knows the two matches against Hearts will be played like cup ties, so he will not want his men to risk injury prior to the bigger matches against the Manc sides - Hearts could win this one.

Rangers' trip to Mirabor will be no awayday janut. But, having had their horror shows against Malmo, I fancy Rangers will be able to see-off the Slovenians and advance to the group stages; but here again, only if they are focussed and ready.

Same thing goes for Celtic. We Scots tend to under-rate Swiss sides, but, having been shocked by Neuchetal Xamax and Basle in the past, you can bet Neil Lennon will have Celtic geared-up to winning this one.

LOOKING at this week-end's SPL fixtures, the big game for me will be Sunday's Fir Park clash between Motherwell and Hearts. After Thursday night's terrific win in Europe, Hearts will be buzzing when they visit the league leaders - who will in turn fancy, with home advantage, they can remain top of the table. This one promises much.

Dundee United did well to beat Hearts last weekend, but, that will mean nothing if they cannot make home advantage count against a St Mirren team equally buoyed-up by their home win over Aberdeen. United to win and remain in the mix at the top.

Hibs have had to take a lot of flak in recent months, but, Garry O'Connor started to repay the club's faith in him at Inverness last week, so surely the long-suffering Easter Road punters will have something to celebrate come the final whistle. While for St Johnstone, there is the memory of previous good wins in Leith, but not, I fear, this time.

Dunfermline have to make home advantage count against bottom of the table Inverness - who will arrive on the back of a week of ear-bashing and pain from an angry Terry Butcher. This one, to me, has draw written all over it.

Celtic will be clear, odds-on favourites to beat Aberdeen at Pittodrie - and why not? Can Aberdeen beat them. Doubt it - Celtic to win comfortably.

Finally, the two big friendlies. A narrow defet to Chelsea might be acceptable to the Rangers faithful, but, for the home side - this one is all about putting on a show which persuades the hordes that better times are just around the corner after that CL exit.

While, at Rugby Park, the big question is - will Goodwillie make his Blackburn debut? This should be a football feast, with Rovers edging it narrowly.

IN THE Irn-Bru Scottish League, the most-interesting match for me is the Somerset Park meeting of Ayr United and Hamilton Academical. Last season these teams were two leagues apart. Now they are in the same division.

Part-time Ayr will shock a few sides this season, Accies could be first. Billy Reid's men need to show relegation has barely affected them. If they can win, they should be in what will be a season-long multi-team promotion race. If they cannot, they could struggle.

The other intriguing match for me is at Firhill, where Thistle, dumped out of the League Cup by lowly Berwick last Saturday, face Dundee - the team which would have been promoted last season, but for that swinging 25 points deduction.

This pair should be in the Premier League, and good win for either could be the first step towards getting back there. But, defeat will perhaps signal the start of a long, hard season.

Get out there and enjoy the football, somewhere in Scotland.