Another tough week for Scottish football in Europe! Hibs fought valiantly but succumbed to a cruel late goal, while Aberdeen’s hopes were dashed by a highly debatable penalty. Were these decisions fair, or is there more to the story of their European exits?

Scottish football endured a torrid week on the European stage, culminating in heartbreaking exits for both Hibernian and Aberdeen from their respective continental competitions. The dreams of progressing further were cruelly dashed by late drama and contentious decisions, leaving fans to lament a period many are calling a nightmare for the nation’s clubs.

Hibs, despite facing a daunting task after a 2-1 first-leg defeat against Legia Warsaw, demonstrated immense resilience in Poland. Their heroic effort saw them battle back, pushing the tie to the very brink of extra time and providing a glimmer of hope that they could join their Scottish counterparts in the UEFA Conference League.

However, football can be unforgiving. With mere seconds remaining in stoppage time, Legia Warsaw found an equalizer, forcing an additional 30 minutes of play. This late blow was a psychological turning point, as the momentum shifted dramatically in favor of the home side.

The extra period brought only pain and anguish for the Edinburgh club. Despite Legia’s Jan Ziolkowski receiving a red card with five minutes of extra time left, it made no difference. Mileta Rajovic delivered the decisive blow in the 98th minute, netting a dramatic winner that sent Hibs crashing out and solidified Legia’s passage to the league phase.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen’s European journey also concluded under a cloud of controversy. Their tie against FCSB in Romania was finely poised at 2-2 on aggregate following the first leg, setting the stage for a tense decider where every decision would prove crucial.

The Dons were left stewing over a particularly harsh handball decision that saw Alexander Jensen receive a second yellow card just before half-time, resulting in his dismissal. This contentious call dramatically altered the dynamic of the game, handing FCSB a significant advantage.

From the resulting penalty, FCSB scored, fundamentally changing the complexion of the match. Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin expressed his frustration, stating, “The penalty was a tough one and it changed the dynamic of the game. I haven’t watched it back but I have been told it’s a tough one.” His comments underscored the feeling of injustice within the Aberdeen camp.

Both Scottish clubs now drop into the UEFA Conference League, a testament to a week where courage and effort were ultimately undone by narrow margins, late goals, and highly debated refereeing calls. The wider implications for Scottish football’s standing in European competition will undoubtedly be a topic of much discussion in the days to come.