Confused over Europe? you will be

Last updated : 23 April 2010 By TwoTonTed

Follow your HeartsJim Jefferies has hit out at the confusion and inconvenience caused by the SFAs European qualification criteria. Hearts are one of three teams in the chase for a Europa League spot with fourth place guaranteeing entry into the qualifying rounds but the club who finishes fifth could also sneak into Europe. However, this depends on a number of factors which have left Jefferies' head in a spin. He said: "I'm led to believe that if Dundee United win the cup and finish third, then fifth place gets into Europe... is that the case?" As explained by the SFA's Clare Bodell,  there are other scenarios that would mean fifth place is not enough to qualify. Should United take second place from Celtic  - and thereby gain entry to the Champions League - then cup final opponents Ross County will be automatically handed Scotland's final Europa League spot. The space in the Europa League would also go to County if they win the cup final. Jefferies said: "It's so complicated that nobody knows who's going to be where. We can finish the season in fifth thinking we're in Europe."

The result of the cup final will decide the final entrants to the European competitions Jeffries moaned: "It's a ridiculous situation that you've got to wait (till 15 May). We've got next season's preparations to make. You don't know when you're going to come back. Don't get me wrong: we're not saying we don't want it, but it does cause a lot of complications."

If Europe is on the cards players can expect a severely shortened summer. The SPL season does not kick off until 14 August 14 but entry into the early rounds of the Europa League qualifiers would force Jefferies to recall his squad at the end of June - during the World Cup finals. Even then, it depends on your final league placing. Jeffries went on: "We'd be back before the end of June because the first game, I believe, is July 15. If you make fourth, it's July 29." Jefferies has arned his players not to book any July holidays, saying: "I think they know that already so I hope they don't."

Hearts' hopes of gatecrashing fifth place or even fourth depends on winning at the weekend and againt Hibs the following Saturday. Hibs play Rangers at the weekend and Jefferies is hoping the Glasgow side can do the Jambos a favour. He said: "This could be, I think, the crucial part, these games. It'll make it tougher if things don't go for us on Saturday. If it was to go against us, and the other result, then it's going to be really difficult with just three games to go. This is a massive, massive game on Saturday."