Porto provide incentive for Celtic and Motherwell

PORTO's Uefa Europa League triumph over Braga in Dublin on Wednesday night has provided an additional incentive for Celtic and Motherwell in tomorrow's Scottish Cup Final at Hampden.

Because Porto have already qualified for next season's Champions League as Portuguese League winners, the Europa League cup holder place will not be used.

And, as a result, the Scottish Cup winners will now go directly into the fourth and final qualifying round. Had Braga lifted the Europa League, the Scottish Cup winners would have started their campaign in the third qualifying round.

If Celtic win the trophy tomorrow, it will therefore make a significant difference to their schedule for next season.

The third qualifying round first leg matches take place on 28 July, while the fourth qualifying round does not start until 18 August.

Should Celtic lose, they will join the tournament in the third qualifying round with Motherwell earning the benefit of the later entry.

Hearts and Dundee United will also be eyeing the outcome at Hampden tomorrow with great interest.

If Celtic win the cup, Hearts will go into the Europa League at the third qualifying round stage. But a Motherwell win would see the Tynecastle club start in the second qualifying round which kicks off on 14 July.

Dundee United, meanwhile, who finished fourth in the league this season, will secure a second qualifying round place in the event of Celtic winning the Scottish Cup, an outcome which would see Motherwell missing out on Europe completely.