Kilmarnock face Cercle Bruges as St Mirren learn opponents

Cercle Bruges were the least experienced of those potential opponents in European competition.

They have qualified for only the fourth time and for the first time since reaching the Europa League third qualifying round in 2011, when they lost to Anorthosis Famagusta.

Led by 41-year-old Miron Muslic, the Bosnian who stepped up from assistant in 2022, they finished fourth in the Belgian Pro League last season.

St Mirren, who were fifth in the Premiership and whose most recent European involvement dates back to 1987, were seeded in their draw, where they avoided Brann, Hacken, Derry City and Cliftonville.

Valur were Besta deild karla runners-up in 2023 and currently lie third, four points behind leaders and Reykjavic rivals Vikingur 11 games into the current campaign.

Their 52-year-old head coach, former Iceland midfielder Arnar Gretarsson, once had a loan spell with Rangers.

They last played in European competition when they were beaten by Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the second qualifying round two years ago.

Vllaznia, who were fourth in Albania’s Kategoria Superiore, lost in last season’s first qualifying round to Northern Ireland’s Linfield.

Thomas Brdaric, the 49-year-old former Germany and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, was appointed head coach earlier this year.