BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
HEARTS will face a trip to Malta in the second qualifying round of the Europa League if they can progress past FC Infonet in Estonia.
Should they build on their first-leg 2-1 victory over Infonet, the Jambos will take on Birkirkara after the Maltese Premier League side defeated Siroki Brijeg of Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 on aggregate.
With the match finely poised following a 1-1 draw in the first-leg in Bosnia, Birkirkara won 2-0 on home soil on Tuesday night.
A first-half strike from Serbian midfielder Srdjan Dimitrov and a second-half own goal from Stipo Markovic sent the Stripes through.
The surprise result could be welcome news for Hearts, who may find a trip to Malta – with the first-leg away next week – preferable to Bosnia and Herzegovina should they progress.