THE World Cup reaches its climax at the weekend but Scottish clubs are already in European action as the early rounds of the Champions League and Europa League get under way.

Celtic swept aside Alashkert in Armenia on Tuesday night to virtually assure themselves a place in the next round so attention switches to Rangers and Hibernian who start their Europa League campaigns tonight (Thursday).

Both sides are heavy odds-on favourites to build up commanding leads. Rangers face Macedonian outfit KF Shkupi Skopje at Ibrox (7.45pm kick-off) and are 1/12 (Bet365/Boylesports); a draw is 10/1 and Shkupi 28/1 (Betvictor). The Gers are 13/8 off a -3 handicap with Betvictor; Shkupi 21/20 +3 and a tie 10/3.

Hibernian play Faroese side NSI Runavik (7.45pm) and the prices are similarly lop-sided: Hibs 1/10 (Unibet), a draw 19/2 (Betfair Sportsbook) and Runavik 28/1 (Betvictor). The Hi-Bees are odds-on even with a -2 handicap; they are 10/11 (Paddy Power), Runavik 23/10 (Betvictor) and a tie 16/5 (Hills).

The Scottish League Cup starts this weekend and BT Sport 1 are screening the Group H match between Kilmarnock and St Mirren tomorrow (Friday) night (7.45pm kick-off). Killie are 10/11 (Betway), a draw 12/5 and the Buddies 10/3 (Betvictor).

Dunfermline are not involved in the first round of matches, their opening game is at home to Peterhead on Tuesday night.

At the time of writing, the men's Wimbledon quarter-final matches have yet to be played but the ladies have reached the semi-final stage with their games scheduled for today (Thursday) starting at 1pm. Serena Williams is up against seeds 11,12 and 13 as her three opponents and as a result is no bigger than 21/20 (Betbright) to win the tournament. Angelique Kerber is 13/5 (Unibet), Jelena Ostapenko 9/2 and Julia Goerges 13/1 (Unibet). The individual matches are priced up as follows: Kerber 13/20 (Unibet) versus Ostapenko 7/5 (Betway) and Williams 2/7 versus Goerges 3/1 (Bet365).