Jump to content

2024–25 Scottish League Cup

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2024–25 Scottish League Cup
Premier Sports Cup logo
Tournament details
CountryScotland
Dates13 July – 15 December 2024
Teams45
Defending championsRangers
Tournament statistics
Matches played94
Goals scored314 (3.34 per match)
Attendance391,611 (4,166 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Ben Wilson (6 goals)
2025–26 →

All statistics correct as of 3 November 2024.

The 2024–25 Scottish League Cup, also known as the Premier Sports Cup for sponsorship reasons, is the 79th season of Scotland's second-most prestigious football knockout competition. Rangers are the defending champions.

Schedule

[edit]
Round First match date Fixtures Clubs
Group stage 13 July 2024[1] 80 45 → 16
Second round 17 August 2024[1] 8 16 → 80
Quarter-finals 21 September 2024[1] 4 8 → 4
Semi-finals 2 November 2024[1] 2 4 → 2
Final 15 December 2024[1] 1 2 → 1

Format

[edit]

The competition began with eight groups of five teams.[2] The five clubs initially competing in the UEFA Champions League (Celtic and Rangers), Europa League (Heart of Midlothian and Kilmarnock) and Conference League (St Mirren) received a bye to the second round. The group stage consists of 40 teams: all remaining teams that competed across the SPFL in 2023–24, the 2023–24 Highland Football League champions (Buckie Thistle) and runners-up (Brechin City), and the 2023–24 Lowland Football League champions (East Kilbride).[2]

The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the three best runners-up, progressed to the second round (last 16). At this stage, the competition reverts to the traditional knock-out format. The three group winners with the highest points total and the European entrants were seeded.

Bonus point system

[edit]

The traditional point system of awarding three points for a win and one point for a draw was used. In addition, for each group stage match that finishes in a draw, a penalty shoot-out took place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.[3]

Group stage

[edit]

The teams were seeded according to their final league positions in 2023–24 and drawn into eight groups, with each group comprising one team from each pot. The draw for the group stage took place on 29 May 2024 and was broadcast live on the Premier Sports and SPFL YouTube channels.[4]

Group A

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ABE AIR QOS EKB DUM
1 Aberdeen 4 4 0 0 0 15 1 +14 12 Qualification for the second round 2–1 6–0
2 Airdrieonians 4 3 0 0 1 15 5 +10 9 2–0 8–0
3 Queen of the South 4 2 0 0 2 5 6 −1 6 0–3 2–0
4 East Kilbride 4 0 1 0 3 2 16 −14 2 0–4 1–3
5 Dumbarton 4 0 0 1 3 4 13 −9 1 3–4 1–1p
Source: [5]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Group B

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification FAL DUN AYR STE BUC
1 Falkirk 4 3 0 0 1 11 2 +9 9 Qualification for the second round 2–0 4–0
2 Dundee United 4 3 0 0 1 10 5 +5 9 2–1 3–0
3 Ayr United 4 3 0 0 1 9 5 +4 9 1–0 3–2
4 Stenhousemuir 4 1 0 0 3 5 11 −6 3 1–4 4–0
5 Buckie Thistle 4 0 0 0 4 5 17 −12 0 1–5 2–5
Source: [7]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Group C

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification HIB QPA PET KEL ELG
1 Hibernian 4 3 0 0 1 14 2 +12 9 Qualification for the second round 5–1 4–0
2 Queen's Park 4 3 0 0 1 16 5 +11 9 6–0 4–0
3 Peterhead 4 2 0 0 2 5 11 −6 6 0–5 4–2
4 Kelty Hearts 4 1 0 1 2 2 8 −6 4 1–0 0–1
5 Elgin City 4 0 1 0 3 3 14 −11 2 0–5 p1–1
Source: [8]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Group D

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification DND ANN ARB ICT BON
1 Dundee 4 4 0 0 0 18 2 +16 12 Qualification for the second round 3–1 6–0
2 Annan Athletic 4 2 0 1 1 7 5 +2 7 1–0 2–2p
3 Arbroath 4 1 1 0 2 1 5 −4 5 0–2 0–3
4 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4 1 0 1 2 3 7 −4 4 0–0p 3–0
5 Bonnyrigg Rose 4 0 1 0 3 3 13 −10 2 1–7 0–1
Source: [9]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Group E

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification SPA LIV FOR DNF COV
1 The Spartans 4 3 0 0 1 7 3 +4 9 Qualification for the second round 1–0 0–3
2 Livingston 4 3 0 0 1 5 1 +4 9 0–1 1–0
3 Forfar Athletic 4 2 0 0 2 5 3 +2 6 0–2 3–0[a]
4 Dunfermline Athletic 4 1 0 0 3 4 5 −1 3 0–2 1–2
5 Cove Rangers 4 1 0 0 3 2 11 −9 3 0–5 0–2
Source: [11]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Notes:
  1. ^ Forfar Athletic were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Cove, who fielded an ineligible player. The match had originally finished 1–1, with Forfar securing the bonus point following a 3–1 win on penalties.[10]

Group F

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification STJ ALL EFI GMO BRE
1 St Johnstone 4 3 0 0 1 11 5 +6 9 Qualification for the second round 5–1 2–0
2 Alloa Athletic 4 2 1 0 1 7 5 +2 8 3–2 p0–0
3 East Fife 4 2 0 1 1 8 5 +3 7 3–0 4–0
4 Greenock Morton 4 2 0 0 2 3 6 −3 6 2–1 1–0
5 Brechin City 4 0 0 0 4 2 10 −8 0 1–2 1–3
Source: [12]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Group G

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification MOT PAR MON CLY EDI
1 Motherwell 4 2 1 1 0 7 2 +5 9 Qualification for the second round 0–0p 3–0
2 Partick Thistle 4 2 1 0 1 11 5 +6 8 3–2 2–3
3 Montrose 4 2 0 1 1 6 5 +1 7 1–1p 2–1
4 Clyde 4 2 0 0 2 9 6 +3 6 1–3 0–1
5 Edinburgh City 4 0 0 0 4 1 16 −15 0 0–6 0–5
Source: [13]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Group H

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ROS RAI HAM STI STR
1 Ross County 4 4 0 0 0 10 3 +7 12 Qualification for the second round 2–1 3–0
2 Raith Rovers 4 2 1 0 1 7 4 +3 8 p1–1 2–1
3 Hamilton Academical 4 1 0 2 1 5 3 +2 5 1–2 0–0p
4 Stirling Albion 4 0 2 0 2 2 8 −6 4 0–3 p2–2
5 Stranraer 4 0 0 1 3 4 10 −6 1 1–3 0–3
Source: [14]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Best runners-up

[edit]
Pos Grp Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 C Queen's Park 4 3 0 0 1 16 5 +11 9 Qualification for the second round
2 A Airdrieonians 4 3 0 0 1 15 5 +10 9
3 B Dundee United 4 3 0 0 1 10 5 +5 9
4 E Livingston 4 3 0 0 1 5 1 +4 9
5 G Partick Thistle 4 2 1 0 1 11 5 +6 8
6 H Raith Rovers 4 2 1 0 1 7 4 +3 8
7 F Alloa Athletic 4 2 1 0 1 7 5 +2 8
8 D Annan Athletic 4 2 0 1 1 7 5 +2 7
Source: [15]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Knockout phase

[edit]

Second round

[edit]

Draw and seeding

[edit]

Celtic, Rangers, Heart of Midlothian, Kilmarnock and St Mirren entered the competition at this stage, due to their participation in UEFA club competitions.[2]

Teams in bold advanced to the quarter-finals.

Seeded Unseeded

Matches

[edit]
17 August 2024 Aberdeen 1–0Queen's ParkAberdeen
15:00
  • Keskinen 90'
[16] Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
Attendance: 8,939
Referee: Colin Steven
17 August 2024 Falkirk 2–0Heart of MidlothianFalkirk
15:00
[17] Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 6,653
Referee: David Dickinson
17 August 2024 Dundee 6–1AirdrieoniansDundee
15:00 [18] Stadium: Dens Park
Attendance: 3,327
Referee: Euan Anderson
17 August 2024 The Spartans 1–0Ross CountyEdinburgh
15:00
  • Henderson 46'
[19] Stadium: Ainslie Park
Attendance: 712
Referee: Dan McFarlane
17 August 2024 Rangers 2–0St JohnstoneGlasgow
17:45 [20] Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 23,261
Referee: Matthew MacDermid
18 August 2024 Dundee United 1–0St MirrenDundee
14:00
[21] Stadium: Tannadice Park
Attendance: 4,285
Referee: John Beaton
18 August 2024 Motherwell 1–0 (a.e.t.)KilmarnockMotherwell
14:00
[22] Stadium: Fir Park
Attendance: 4,371
Referee: Nick Walsh
18 August 2024 Celtic 3–1HibernianGlasgow
15:00
[23] Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 47,370
Referee: Kevin Clancy

Quarter-finals

[edit]

Draw

[edit]

The draw for the quarter-finals took place on 18 August 2024 following the Celtic v Hibernian match live on Premier Sports 1.[24]

Teams in bold advanced to the semi-finals.

Premiership Championship League Two

Matches

[edit]
20 September 2024 Motherwell 2–1Dundee UnitedMotherwell
19:45
[25]
Stadium: Fir Park
Attendance: 8,327
Referee: John Beaton
21 September 2024 Aberdeen 4–0The SpartansAberdeen
17:30
[26] Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
Attendance: 11,615
Referee: Ross Hardie
21 September 2024 Rangers 3–0DundeeGlasgow
17:30
[27] Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 33,665 (partial closure of Copland Road Stand)
Referee: Chris Graham
22 September 2024 Celtic 5–2FalkirkGlasgow
15:00
[28]
Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 42,960
Referee: Calum Scott

Semi-finals

[edit]

Draw

[edit]

The draw for the semi-finals took place on 22 September 2024 following the Celtic v Falkirk match live on Premier Sports 1.[29]

Teams in bold advanced to the final.

Matches

[edit]
2 November 2024 Celtic 6–0AberdeenGlasgow
17:30 GMT
[30] Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 47,544
Referee: Kevin Clancy
3 November 2024 Motherwell1–2 Rangers Glasgow
15:00 GMT [31]
Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 37,077
Referee: Nick Walsh

Final

[edit]
15 December 2024 Celtic v Rangers Glasgow
15:30 Stadium: Hampden Park

Media coverage

[edit]

The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held exclusively by Premier Sports, who will broadcast between 12 and 16 live matches per season, as well as highlights.[32] Premier Sports further announced they would stream up to 25 additional games from the group stage on their website. The broadcaster will also broadcast all games live from the second round onwards, either streamed or televised, subject to blackout rules.[33]

The following matches will be broadcast live:

Round Date Match
Group stage 13 July 2024

(Matchday 1)

  • Falkirk v Dundee United (streamed)
  • Elgin City v Hibernian (streamed)
  • Bonnyrigg Rose v Dundee (streamed)
  • Brechin City v St. Johnstone (streamed)
  • Motherwell v Edinburgh City (streamed)
  • Stranraer v Ross County (streamed)[33]
  • Queen of the South v Aberdeen[34]
16 July 2024

(Matchday 2)

  • Dundee United v Stenhousemuir (streamed)
  • Arbroath v Dundee (streamed)
  • Dunfermline Athletic v Forfar Athletic (streamed)
  • Montrose v Motherwell (streamed)[33]
  • Hibernian v Queen's Park[34]
20 July 2024

(Matchday 3)

  • East Kilbride v Aberdeen (streamed)
  • Kelty Hearts v Hibernian (streamed)
  • St. Johnstone v Greenock Morton (streamed)
  • Clyde v Motherwell (streamed)
  • Ross County v Raith Rovers (streamed)[33]
  • Dundee United v Ayr United[34]
23 July 2024

(Matchday 4)

  • Buckie Thistle v Dundee United (streamed)
  • Dundee v Annan Athletic (streamed)
  • Alloa Athletic v St. Johnstone (streamed)
  • Hamilton Academical v Ross County (streamed)
  • Partick Thistle v Clyde (streamed)[33]
  • Aberdeen v Airdrieonians[34]
27 July 2024

(Matchday 5)

  • Aberdeen v Dumbarton (streamed)
  • Hibernian v Peterhead (streamed)
  • Dundee v Inverness CT (streamed)
  • St. Johnstone v East Fife (streamed)
  • Ross County v Stirling Albion (streamed)[33]
28 July 2024

(Matchday 5)

Motherwell v Partick Thistle[34]
Second Round 17 August 2024
18 August 2024
Quarter-Finals 20 September 2024
  • Motherwell v Dundee United (streamed)[36]
21 September 2024
  • Aberdeen v The Spartans (streamed)
  • Rangers v Dundee[36]
22 September 2024
  • Celtic v Falkirk[36]
Semi-Finals 2 November 2024
  • Celtic v Aberdeen[37]
3 November 2024
  • Motherwell v Rangers[37]
Final 15 December 2024
  • Celtic v Rangers[38]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Key dates for Season 2024/25". SPFL. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Premier Sports Cup seedings". SPFL. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  3. ^ "New League Cup format and TV deal". SPFL. 7 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Premier Sports Cup group stage draw". SPFL. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group A". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group B". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group C". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group D". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  10. ^ "SPFL Statement - Premier Sports Cup". SPFL. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group E". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group F". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group G". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group H". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Summary - League Cup". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Aberdeen vs. Queen's Park - 17 August 2024". Soccerway. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Falkirk vs. Hearts - 17 August 2024". Soccerway. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Dundee vs. Airdrieonians - 17 August 2024". Soccerway. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Spartans vs. Ross County - 17 August 2024". Soccerway. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Rangers vs. St. Johnstone - 17 August 2024". Soccerway. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  21. ^ "Dundee United vs. St. Mirren - 18 August 2024". Soccerway. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  22. ^ "Motherwell vs. Kilmarnock - 18 August 2024". Soccerway. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Celtic vs. Hibernian - 18 August 2024". Soccerway. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  24. ^ "Premier Sports Cup quarter-final draw". SPFL. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  25. ^ "Motherwell vs. Dundee United - 20 September 2024". Soccerway. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  26. ^ "Aberdeen vs. Spartans - 21 September 2024". Soccerway. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  27. ^ "Rangers vs. Dundee - 21 September 2024". Soccerway. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  28. ^ "Celtic vs. Falkirk - 22 September 2024". Soccerway. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  29. ^ "Premier Sports Cup semi-final draw". SPFL. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  30. ^ "Celtic vs. Aberdeen - 2 November 2024". Soccerway. 2 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  31. ^ "Motherwell vs. Rangers - 3 November 2024". Soccerway. 3 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  32. ^ "Premier Sports to sponsor League Cup". SPFL. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  33. ^ a b c d e f "More matches on Premier Sports | SPFL". spfl.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  34. ^ a b c d e "Premier Sports Cup group stage fixtures". SPFL. 31 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Premier Sports Cup last-16 details". SPFL. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  36. ^ a b c "Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals". SPFL. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  37. ^ a b "Premier Sports Cup semi-finals". SPFL. 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  38. ^ "Premier Sports Cup final 2024/25". SPFL. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.