Tough Champions League challenge awaits Hearts and Rangers

What the report says

Heart of Midlothian and Rangers are beginning their Women’s Champions League qualifying campaigns this week, with both Scottish sides facing difficult mini-tournament ties. BBC Sport reports that Hearts, the surprise Scottish champions last season, open against Lithuanian side Gintra in Denmark, while Rangers, last season’s league runners-up, start at home against Slavia Prague at Broadwood Stadium.

The format means the group winners move on to the third qualifying round, while second and third place still keep teams in Europe through the Europa League route. Hearts are in their first European campaign and are adjusting after the departure of title-winning head coach Eva Olid. Andy Thomson has taken over but has had limited new additions to his squad, apart from loan signing Ebonie Locke. Gintra bring more experience in this format and are already mid-season domestically, which BBC Sport notes could help them.

Rangers also enter with changes after a summer of departures and arrivals, including the loss of Mia McAulay to Aston Villa and the addition of several new players, among them Kirsty Smith. Their challenge is likely to grow if they advance, with Ajax or Brondby waiting in the next round. BBC Sport says the league path is often harder because it involves clubs from stronger leagues, and Rangers have previously struggled in similar European qualifying ties.

The article places the two Scottish teams’ campaigns in a wider context of recent struggles for Scottish clubs in the women’s competition since Glasgow City reached the quarter-finals in 2020, underlining why these ties matter for both prestige and European progress.