Hibernian and Motherwell have been handed what most would consider decent draws in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, avoiding the big European names that could have made life very difficult at this early stage.
Hibs will face Finnish side HJK Helsinki if they progress through their earlier qualifying rounds, while Motherwell have been paired with a North Macedonian outfit. Neither tie looks like a nightmare on paper, and both clubs will fancy their chances of making it through to the next stage.
For Hibs, the prospect of a trip to Helsinki is far from daunting. HJK are a well-organised side domestically, but Scottish Premiership clubs have generally matched up well against Finnish opposition in recent European campaigns. The Easter Road side will be keen to make a proper run in the competition and give their fans something to shout about on the continental stage.
Motherwell, meanwhile, will look at their North Macedonian opponents and feel they have been given a genuine opportunity to progress. The Fir Park club has had its moments in European football over the years, and the squad will be quietly confident about their chances when the ties come around.
Both clubs will need to take care of business in their earlier rounds first before these fixtures come into play. Nothing in European football is guaranteed, and teams have been caught out before by underestimating opponents at the qualifying stage. But the draw has certainly been kind compared to what could have come out of the pot.
Scottish clubs have had a mixed record in European competition in recent seasons. While Celtic have pushed deep into the later rounds of the Champions League and Europa League, the clubs competing in Conference League qualifying have often found the going tough once they step outside domestic football.
That said, there is real excitement around both clubs heading into this campaign. Hibs have been building steadily and will see a European run as a chance to test themselves and raise the profile of the club. Motherwell, known for punching above their weight at times, will approach the ties with plenty of determination.
The Conference League has proven to be a competition where clubs from smaller leagues can genuinely make an impact. It was designed partly to give sides like Hibs and Motherwell a realistic shot at European football beyond the group stage, and both sets of supporters will be dreaming of deep runs into the tournament.
Travel to Finland and North Macedonia is straightforward enough, and both sets of fans will be hoping to follow their clubs abroad if the earlier rounds go to plan. European away days are something Scottish football supporters relish, and the chance to visit new cities adds an extra layer of excitement to what is already a big occasion for clubs of this size.
All eyes now turn to the earlier qualifying rounds, where both clubs must do the hard work before those potential ties become reality. Get through, and there are genuinely winnable games waiting on the other side of the draw.