Dundee United draw Riga or Gil Vicente in Europa Conference League playoff round

Dundee United will face either Riga or Gil Vicente in the Europa Conference League playoff - if they beat AZ Alkmaar. Jack Ross' side will kick off their continental campaign later this week with a difficult tie against the Eredivisie club.

But if they prevail over the two legs, they will be rewarded with a trip to either Latvia or Portugal for a chance to qualify for the tournament proper well within their grasp. The draw for the playoffs was made ahead of time on Tuesday afternoon and would be the final hurdle to United securing a place in the lucrative group stage. Dates for the fixtures are set to be confirmed by UEFA in due course.

Elsewhere for Scottish Premiership clubs, Rangers will face either PSV Eindhoven or Monaco in the Champions League playoffs if they beat Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise, while Hearts have drawn the winners of Linfield versus Zurich in the Europa League playoff.

Gil Vicente qualified for European competition for the first ever time in their history last season. An impressive fifth place finish in the Primeira Liga saw them into the Europa Conference League.

Riga saw off Ruzomberok of Slovakia in the first qualifying round. They made it into Europe after finishing fourth in the Latvian Higher league last season. This campaign, they were well placed in third but are ten points off the pace from leaders Valmieras.

FORMED: 1924.

STADIUM: Estádio Cidade de Barcelos (12,504).

HONOURS: Portuguese cup runners-up once.

MANAGER: Ivo Vieira. Already managed prominent Portuguese clubs Maritimo, Estoril and Vitoria Guimaraes at the age of 46. Took charge at Gil Vicente last month.

STAR MAN: Kanya Fujimoto. Japanese midfielder who arrived from Tokyo Verdy after a successful loan spell. Has