Ronald Koeman predicts 'challenging' Europa League tie

Everton manager Ronald Koeman has insisted that his side will face "a real challenge" in order to progress to the group stages of the Europa League.

The Toffees secured their place in the playoff stage last night courtesy of a 2-0 aggregate victory over Ruzomberok of Slovakia and in the next-round draw today, they were rewarded with an encounter against Hajduk Split.

The Croatian side finished third in their domestic league last season and have battled into the playoff stages courtesy of aggregate 3-1 and 2-0 victories over Levski Sofia and Brondby.

"Hajduk Split will be a real challenge, with their strong support and a stadium that is good to play football in," Koeman told the Everton website.

"But of course we want to reach the group stages of the Europa League, so we will have analysed their strengths and weaknesses between now and the tie and we will be prepared."

Everton will host the first leg of the encounter on August 17 before travelling to Croatia for the decider a week later.