The Scottish Football Association (SFA) have today confirmed that Motherwell will play in next season's inaugural UEFA Europa League, after the Steelmen finished second in the Scottish Fair Play League.

Indeed, it was SPL runners-up Celtic who finished atop the Fair Play standings, but the Bhoys had already qualified for Europe by virtue of their league position.

Motherwell will enter the Europa League at the first qualifying round, which is scheduled to take place on 2 and 9 July.

Falkirk, for their part, have also picked up a Europa League berth after reaching the final of the Scottish Cup, where they will play SPL champions Rangers.

Two further places in the competition were claimed by Hearts and Aberdeen, who finished third and fourth respectively in the top flight, while Celtic and Rangers will enter the UEFA Champions League, with the men from Ibrox going directly into the group stages.

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith was keen to express his satisfaction that Scotland has six European representatives for 2009/10. "My congratulations go to Motherwell and I wish them all the best for their European adventure next season," he said. 

"Getting into Europe shows what can be achieved when the game is played in the right manner. It is a lesson to everyone who plays the game and the whole country can be proud of this achievement.

"It is now down to all six of our teams who play in Europe next season to do well and to keep on pushing our co-efficient in the right direction. We can all look forward to the year ahead with a real sense of excitement."