Having an extra two weeks before entering Europe will be hugely valuable to Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes.
As Premiership runners-up Aberdeen were initially scheduled to enter the Europa League at the first qualifying round stage on Thursday, July 12.
However, they now enter at the second qualifying round level on July 26 as a by-product of Celtic beating Motherwell to lift the Scottish Cup.
There is no European slot for the cup runners-up so the second qualifying round berth goes to the team who finished second in the Premiership.
It is a huge boost for Aberdeen because entering Europe at an earlier stage has been a major drawback in previous seasons.
Particularly if the Dons are going up against opposition who are not of a high level. Some of the opposition Aberdeen have had to face in the first qualifying round of the Europa League have been poor.
Unfortunately teams like Aberdeen are involved at that stage because of the standing of our game in Europe.
McInnes will be delighted at having an extra two weeks as the players will have that extended time to rest and recuperate.
It will also allow him more time to ensure the recruitment is good for the season ahead.
He will still have to move quickly in the summer to recruit but he now has that extra two weeks to work in.
For a fan that maybe doesn’t sound like a lot of time but it really is.
This article originally appeared on the Evening Express website. For more information, read about our new combined website.