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2021–22 Scottish League Cup

2021–22 Scottish League Cup
Premier Sports Cup logo
Tournament details
CountryScotland
Dates9 July – 19 December 2021
Teams45
Defending championsSt Johnstone
Final positions
ChampionsCeltic (20th title)
Runner-upHibernian
Tournament statistics
Matches played89
Goals scored245 (2.75 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Ally Roy (6 goals)

The 2021–22 Scottish League Cup (also known as the Premier Sports Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 76th season of Scotland's second-most prestigious football knockout competition.

The format for the 2021–22 competition was similar to the previous five seasons. It began with eight groups of five teams including all 2020–21 Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) clubs, excluding those competing in Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League qualifiers, as well as the winners of the 2020–21 Highland Football League (Brora Rangers) and the 2020–21 Lowland Football League (Kelty Hearts).[1]

A difference from recent seasons was that five clubs were given a bye to the last 16 instead of four, due to increased representation in European competition. This meant that another non-league club (East Kilbride) were invited to round out the group stage.[1]

The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held exclusively by Premier Sports, who became the tournament's title sponsor in April 2021.[2]

St Johnstone were the defending champions after beating Livingston 1–0 in the last season's final.[3] They were eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual winners Celtic, who won their 20th title after beating Hibernian 2–1 in the final.[4]

Schedule

Round First match date Fixtures Clubs
Group stage 9 July 2021[5] 80 45 → 16
Second round 13 August 2021[5] 8 16 → 8
Quarter finals 22 September 2021[5] 4 8 → 4
Semi finals 20 November 2021[5] 2 4 → 2
Final 19 December 2021[5] 1 2 → 1

Format

The competition began with eight groups of five teams. The five clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League (Rangers and Celtic), Europa League (St Johnstone) and Conference League (Hibernian and Aberdeen) qualifying rounds were given a bye through to the second round. The 40 teams competing in the group stage consisted of the other seven teams that competed in the 2020–21 Scottish Premiership, and all of the teams that competed in the 2020–21 Scottish Championship, 2020–21 Scottish League One and 2020–21 Scottish League Two. The 2020–21 Highland Football League and the 2020–21 Lowland Football League champions also competed. Due to a fifth Scottish team participating in European competition and receiving a bye to the second round, an extra spot was available in the group stage. This was taken by Lowland League side East Kilbride, after lots were drawn between the Lowland League and Highland League runners-up for the final place in the groups.

The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the three best runners-up progressed to the second round (last 16), which included the five UEFA qualifying clubs. At this stage, the competition reverted to the traditional knock-out format. The three group winners with the highest points total and the clubs entering at this stage were seeded, with the five group winners with the lowest points unseeded along with the three best runners-up.

Bonus point system

In December 2015, the SPFL announced that alongside the new group stage format, a bonus point system would be introduced to provide greater excitement and increase the number of meaningful games at this stage.[6] The traditional point system of awarding three points for a win and one point for a draw is used, however, for each group stage match that finishes in a draw, a penalty shoot-out takes place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.

Group stage

Main article: 2021–22 Scottish League Cup group stage

The group stage was made up of seven teams from the 2020–21 Scottish Premiership, and all ten teams from each of the 2020–21 Scottish Championship, 2020–21 Scottish League One and 2020–21 Scottish League Two, as well as the winners and runners-up of the 2020–21 Lowland Football League and the winners of the 2020–21 Highland Football League. The 40 teams were divided into two sections – North and South – with each section containing four top seeds, four second seeds and 12 unseeded teams. Each section was drawn into four groups with each group comprising one top seed, one second seed and three unseeded teams.

The draw for the group stage took place on 28 May 2021 and was broadcast live on FreeSports & the SPFL YouTube channel.[5]

North

Group A

Pos Team
 Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification HOM STI INV COV PET
1 Heart of Midlothian 4 4 0 0 0 8 0 +8 12 Qualification for the second round — — 1–0 3–0 —
2 Stirling Albion 4 2 1 0 1 8 7 +1 8 0–2 — — — 3–1
3 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4 1 0 1 2 5 6 −1 4 — 2–2p — — 2–0
4 Cove Rangers 4 1 0 0 3 6 10 −4 3 — 2–3 3–1 — —
5 Peterhead 4 1 0 0 3 4 8 −4 3 0–2 — — 3–1 —
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.[8]

Group B

Pos Team
 Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification DUN ARB KEL ELG EFI
1 Dundee United 4 4 0 0 0 9 1 +8 12 Qualification for the second round — 1–0 — 6–1 —
2 Arbroath 4 3 0 0 1 6 3 +3 9 — — 3–2 — 2–0
3 Kelty Hearts 4 2 0 0 2 8 5 +3 6 0–1 — — — 3–0
4 Elgin City 4 1 0 0 3 5 12 −7 3 — 0–1 1–3 — —
5 East Fife 4 0 0 0 4 2 9 −7 0 0–1 — — 2–3 —
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.[8]

Group C

Pos Team
 Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification DUN FOR ROS MON BRO
1 Dundee 4 4 0 0 0 14 2 +12 12 Qualification for the second round — 5–2 — — 4–0
2 Forfar Athletic 4 2 1 0 1 6 5 +1 8 — — 3–0[a] p0–0 —
3 Ross County 4 2 0 0 2 5 7 −2 6 0–3[b] — — 4–1 —
4 Montrose 4 1 0 1 2 4 6 −2 4 0–2 — — — 3–0
5 Brora Rangers 4 0 0 0 4 0 9 −9 0 — 0–1 0–1 — —
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.[8]
Notes:
  1. ^ Forfar Athletic were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Ross County, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.[10]
  2. ^ Dundee were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Ross County, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.[11]

Group D

Pos Team
 Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification RAI LIV COW ALO BRE
1 Raith Rovers 4 2 1 1 0 5 0 +5 9 Qualification for the second round — — — p0–0 4–0
2 Livingston 4 2 1 0 1 7 3 +4 8 p0–0 — 3–1 — —
3 Cowdenbeath 4 2 0 0 2 5 6 −1 6 0–1 — — — 3–2
4 Alloa Athletic 4 1 0 1 2 2 3 −1 4 — 2–1 0–1 — —
5 Brechin City 4 1 0 0 3 3 10 −7 3 — 0–3 — 1–0 —
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.[8]

South

Group E

Pos Team
 Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification AYR HAM ALB EDI FAL
1 Ayr United 4 3 0 1 0 7 0 +7 10 Qualification for the second round — — — 3–0 3–0[a]
2 Hamilton Academical 4 2 1 0 1 5 4 +1 8 0–1 — p2–2 — —
3 Albion Rovers 4 0 2 1 1 4 8 −4 5 p0–0 — — p1–1 —
4 Edinburgh City 4 1 0 1 2 4 5 −1 4 — 0–1 — — 3–0[b]
5 Falkirk 4 1 0 0 3 6 9 −3 3 — 1–2 5–1 — —
Source: [16]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[8]
Notes:
  1. ^ Ayr United were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Falkirk, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.[14]
  2. ^ Edinburgh City were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Falkirk, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.[15]

Group F

Pos Team
 Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification MOT QPK QOS AIR ANN
1 Motherwell 4 3 0 0 1 6 4 +2 9 Qualification for the second round — — 3–2 — 2–0
2 Queen's Park 4 2 0 1 1 3 2 +1 7 0–1 — — 0–0p —
3 Queen of the South 4 2 0 0 2 9 6 +3 6 – 0–1 — 4–1 —
4 Airdrieonians 4 1 1 1 1 4 5 −1 6 2–0 — — — 1–1p
5 Annan Athletic 4 0 1 0 3 3 8 −5 2 — 1–2 1–3 — —
Source: [17]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[8]

Group G

Pos Team
 Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification KIL STR GMO EKI CLY
1 Kilmarnock 4 2 1 0 1 5 6 −1 8 Qualification for the second round — 2–1 p1–1 — —
2 Stranraer 4 2 0 0 2 5 3 +2 6 — — 3–0[a] 1–0 —
3 Greenock Morton 4 1 1 1 1 3 5 −2 6 — — — p0–0 2–1
4 East Kilbride 4 1 0 2 1 5 3 +2 5 3–0[b] — — — 2–2p
5 Clyde 4 1 1 0 2 5 6 −1 5 1–2 1–0 — — —
Source: [20]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[8]
Notes:
  1. ^ Stranraer were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Greenock Morton, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.[18]
  2. ^ East Kilbride were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Kilmarnock, who fielded an ineligible player. The match had originally finished 2–0 to Kilmarnock.[19]

Group H

Pos Team
 Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification STM DNF PAR STE DUM
1 St Mirren 4 4 0 0 0 9 1 +8 12 Qualification for the second round — 1–0 2–0 — —
2 Dunfermline Athletic 4 3 0 0 1 13 5 +8 9 — — — 4–1 5–1
3 Partick Thistle 4 2 0 0 2 6 7 −1 6 — 2–4 — — 2–0
4 Stenhousemuir 4 1 0 0 3 5 10 −5 3 1–3 — 1–2 — —
5 Dumbarton 4 0 0 0 4 2 12 −10 0 0–3[a] — — 1–2 —
Source: [22]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[8]
Notes:
  1. ^ St Mirren were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Dumbarton, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.[21]

Best runners-up

Pos Grp Team
 Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 H Dunfermline Athletic 4 3 0 0 1 13 5 +8 9 Qualification for the second round
2 B Arbroath 4 3 0 0 1 6 3 +3 9
3 D Livingston 4 2 1 0 1 7 3 +4 8
4 A Stirling Albion 4 2 1 0 1 8 7 +1 8
5 C Forfar Athletic 4 2 1 0 1 6 5 +1 8
6 E Hamilton Academical 4 2 1 0 1 5 4 +1 8
7 F Queen's Park 4 2 0 1 1 3 2 +1 7
8 G Stranraer 4 2 0 0 2 5 3 +2 6
Source: [23]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[8]

Knockout phase

Second round

Draw and seeding

Aberdeen, Celtic, Hibernian, Rangers and St Johnstone entered the competition at this stage, after receiving a bye for the group stage due to their participation in UEFA club competitions.

The five UEFA-qualifying clubs and the three group winners with the best record were seeded for the draw.

The draw for the second round took place on 25 July 2021.[24]

Teams in Bold advanced to the quarter-finals.

Seeded Unseeded
Notes

Matches

13 August 2021 Rangers 5–0Dunfermline AthleticGlasgow
19:30
[25] Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 41,467
Referee: Willie Collum
14 August 2021 Ayr United1–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–4 p)		 Dundee United Ayr
15:00 Adeloye 56' [26] Clark 80' (pen.) Stadium: Somerset Park
Attendance: 2,196
Referee: Nick Walsh
Penalties
14 August 2021 Dundee 1–0MotherwellDundee
15:00 Ashcroft 78' [27] Stadium: Dens Park
Attendance: 3,700
Referee: Kevin Clancy
14 August 2021 Livingston 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–3 p)		St MirrenLivingston
15:00 Forrest 41' [28] McCarthy 82' Stadium: Almondvale Stadium
Attendance: 1,855
Referee: David Munro
Penalties
15 August 2021 Raith Rovers 2–1AberdeenKirkcaldy
12:00
[29] Emmanuel-Thomas 13' Stadium: Stark's Park
Attendance: 3,297
Referee: Steven McLean
15 August 2021 Arbroath2–2 (a.e.t.)
(2–3 p)		 St Johnstone Arbroath
14:00
[30]
Stadium: Gayfield Park
Attendance: 1,842
Referee: Colin Steven
Penalties
15 August 2021 Hibernian 2–0KilmarnockEdinburgh
14:00
[31] Stadium: Easter Road
Attendance: 5,990
Referee: Bobby Madden
15 August 2021 Celtic 3–2Heart of MidlothianGlasgow
15:00
[32]
Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 42,361
Referee: John Beaton

Quarter-finals

Draw

Teams in Bold advanced to the semi-finals.

Matches

22 September 2021 Rangers 2–0LivingstonGlasgow
19:45
[33] Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 35,579
Referee: Don Robertson
22 September 2021 Dundee0–2 St Johnstone Dundee
19:45 [34]
Stadium: Dens Park
Attendance: 4,707
Referee: Steven McLean
23 September 2021 Celtic 3–0Raith RoversGlasgow
19:45
[35] Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 26,714
Referee: David Munro
23 September 2021 Dundee United1–3 Hibernian Dundee
19:45 Pawlett 58' [36]
Stadium: Tannadice Park
Attendance: 5,395
Referee: Willie Collum

Semi-finals

Draw

The draw for the semi-finals took place on 23 September 2021 live on Premier Sports following the Celtic v Raith Rovers match.[37]

Matches

20 November 2021 Celtic 1–0St JohnstoneGlasgow
17:15
[38] Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 42,298
Referee: Nick Walsh
21 November 2021 Rangers1–3 Hibernian Glasgow
16:00
[39]
Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 45,014
Referee: Kevin Clancy

Final

Main article: 2021 Scottish League Cup Final (December)
Hibernian1–2Celtic
Hanlon 51' Report Furuhashi 52', 72'
Attendance: 48,540
Referee: John Beaton

Media coverage

The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held exclusively by Premier Sports who will broadcast between 12 and 16 Premier Sports Cup live matches per season as well as highlights.

The following matches were broadcast live on UK television:

Round Date Match
Group Stage 9 July 2021 Kelty Hearts v Dundee United[40]
13 July 2021 Heart of Midlothian v Cove Rangers[40]
14 July 2021 Queen's Park v Motherwell[40]
18 July 2021 Ross County v Dundee[A][40]
21 July 2021 Airdrieonians v Motherwell[40]
25 July 2021 St Mirren v Partick Thistle
Heart of Midlothian v Inverness CT[40]
Second Round 13 August 2021 Rangers v Dunfermline Athletic[41]
15 August 2021 Raith Rovers v Aberdeen
Celtic v Heart of Midlothian[41]
Quarter-finals 22 September 2021 Dundee v St Johnstone
Rangers v Livingston[42]
23 September 2021 Celtic v Raith Rovers
Dundee United v Hibernian[42]
Semi-finals 20 November 2021 Celtic v St Johnstone[43]
21 November 2021 Rangers v Hibernian[43]
Final 19 December 2021 Hibernian v Celtic[44]
Notes
  1. ^
    A: Dundee were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Ross County, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.[45]

Top goalscorers

As of 21 November 2021
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Northern Ireland Ally Roy Queen of the South 6
2 Northern Ireland Liam Boyce Heart of Midlothian 4
Australia Martin Boyle Hibernian
England Nathan Austin Kelty Hearts
Scotland Brian Graham Partick Thistle

Source:[46]

References

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  2. ^ "Premier Sports to sponsor League Cup". SPFL. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
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  4. ^ "Hibernian 1-2 Celtic: Kyogo Furuhashi wins Scottish League Cup final for Ange Postecoglou's Celtic". Sky Sports. 19 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Date set for Premier Sports Cup draw". SPFL. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
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  17. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group F". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
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  23. ^ "Summary - League Cup". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
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  34. ^ "Dundee vs. St. Johnstone - 22 September 2021". Soccerway. 22 September 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  35. ^ "Celtic vs. Raith Rovers - 23 September 2021". Soccerway. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  36. ^ "Dundee United vs. Hibernian - 23 September 2021". Soccerway. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  37. ^ "PREMIER SPORTS CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW". SPFL. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  38. ^ "Celtic 1-0 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  39. ^ "Rangers 1-3 Hibernian". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  40. ^ a b c d e f "Premier Sports Cup fixture list". SPFL. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  41. ^ a b "Premier Sports Cup R2 details". SPFL. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  42. ^ a b "Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals". SPFL. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  43. ^ a b "Premier Sports Cup semi-finals". SPFL. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  44. ^ "Premier Sports Cup Final". SPFL. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
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  46. ^ "Scottish League Cup Top Scorers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
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