Eastern Europe beckons for trio

Aberdeen, St Johnstone and Inverness CT face trips to Eastern Europe in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League next month.

The Dons travel to Macedonia to face KF Shkëndija in qualifying round one, with the first leg scheduled to be away from home on Thursday July 2 and the return fixture at Pittodrie a week later. Should Derek McInnes' men progress, they will play Rijeka of Croatia.

Saints, who are in Europe for the fourth year in a row, were paired with Alashkert of Armenia in their round-one tie, with the first leg away from home. The winners are up against Red Star Belgrade or Kairat Almaty from Kazakhstan.

Inverness Caley Thistle will make their European debut in qualifying round two against FC Astra of Romania, who Celtic played in the group stage of the Europa League in 2014/15.

John Hughes' side, who finished third in the Premiership and won the Scottish Cup, are due to be at home in the first leg on Thursday July 16.

Europa League first qualifying round - July 2 & 9
Alashkert (ARM) v St Johnstone
KF Shkëndija (MKD) v Aberdeen

Europa League second qualifying round - July 16 & 23
FK Crvena Zvezda (SRB) or Kairat Almaty (KAZ) v Alashkert FC (ARM) or St Johnstone
Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Astra Giurgiu (ROM)
HNK Rijeka (CRO) v KF Shkëndija (MKD) or Aberdeen