Biggest European jackpot in Hearts' history: UEFA cash breakdown as Tynecastle coffers to swell by millions

The first earned a Europa Conference League qualifying berth through finishing third in the Premiership. It won’t be required, because the second was rather more significant. Saturday’s Scottish Cup semi-final defeat of Hibs secured the biggest Continental jackpot in Tynecastle Park history.

By reaching the final, Hearts assume the Scottish Cup’s European place this summer. Rangers will qualify for the Champions League through their Premiership placing. Even if they win the final at Hampden Park on May 21, the cup’s spot would then go to the team sitting third in the league.

So Hearts find themselves in a win-win situation. The Edinburgh club can now prepare for a Europa League play-off on August 18 and 25, the reward for the Scottish Cup winners. It is the final qualifying round before the tournament’s lucrative group stage.

Lose that tie and they parachute directly into the Europa Conference League groups in September due to UEFA’s tournament structure designed to keep as many teams from higher-ranked nations involved as long as possible.

Both competitions carry lucrative financial rewards. Getting through to the Europa League groups comes with an instant prize of circa £3.2m. In the Conference League groups, it’s around £2.7m. That’s before a ticket is sold or a point won.

A Europa League group victory pays £475,000 and a draw £160,000. The Conference League pays £420,000 per win and £140,000 for a draw. There is also a £250,000 “cushion” given to any club who loses the Europa League play-off and ends up in the Conference groups.

To summarise, Hearts will play one two-legged knockout tie and six group games between August and November, earning a shedload of money in the process. The club bank account has never