Europa League

Europa League qualifying round-up: Mixed results for Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibernian

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 14 July 2016

Sports Mole rounds up Thursday night's Europa League second qualifying round ties featuring Scottish sides Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibernian.

Aberdeen have got a foot in the third qualifying round of the Europa League after cruising to a 3-0 first-leg home win over Ventspils on Thursday night.

Derek McInnes's charges laboured in the early stages of the game at Pittodrie Stadium but took the lead in the 72nd minute when Jayden Stockley headed home the opener from a Jonny Hayes cross.

The hosts doubled their lead four minutes later through Adam Rooney, who applied a left-footed finish following a scramble in the box from a corner, before adding a third in injury time through a Wes Burns header.

Hibernian, meanwhile, have it all to do in the second leg after falling to a 1-0 defeat against Brondby, with Otso Virtanen spilling a routine save and Kamil Wilczek converting the rebound in the first minute.

Jason Cummings managed to find the net for the hosts after an enterprising move in the first half, but the forward was flagged offside, while worse was to come as Neil Lennon was sent to the stands for dissent.

The third game of the night featuring a Scottish side ended in a goalless draw as Birkirkara held Hearts to a stalemate in a hot Maltese evening at the Hibernians Stadium.

Results in full: Aberdeen 3-0 Ventspils, Hibernian 0-1 Brondby, Birkirkara 0-0 Hearts