St Mirren, the current holders of the Premier Sports Cup, are set to face Rangers away in the last 16 of the competition. This fixture is one of several upcoming matches following the recent draw.
The draw for the last 16 also includes two other all-top-flight encounters. Scottish champions Celtic, who were finalists in the previous season, will travel to play Dundee United. Meanwhile, Aberdeen is scheduled to host Dundee.
Key Fixtures and Progressions
Another notable match will see top-flight side Kilmarnock host Ayr United in an Ayrshire derby. The draw ensures that at least one team from outside the Premiership will reach the quarter-finals, as second-tier Dunfermline Athletic were drawn at home against League 1 team Ross County.
Dunfermline secured their place in the last 16 as the final team to qualify. Their progression was sealed by a late penalty from Chris Kane, which led to a victory away against St Mirren on Sunday. This result allowed them to advance as one of the three best runners-up, at the expense of Championship rivals Queen’s Park.
Despite the defeat, St Mirren still managed to top their group based on goal difference. However, this loss meant they did not secure a seeded position in Sunday’s draw.
Managerial Reactions to the Draw
Craig McLeish, the manager of St Mirren, expressed his disappointment regarding the draw. He stated that he was displeased that his team, despite having an opportunity to win their group and be seeded, received an unfavourable draw.
McLeish also commented on a decision during their match, suggesting that his team was denied a goal, but ultimately took responsibility, saying they had “only ourselves to blame unfortunately.”
In contrast, Rangers manager Derek McInnes conveyed his satisfaction at securing a home draw. He acknowledged the challenge of facing a Premiership team, especially one that performed well in the cup last season by winning it. McInnes noted the potential difficulties but expressed gratitude for the home advantage.
Dunfermline head coach Neil Lennon believed his side “deserved our victory” after their strong performance in the latter stages of the match against St Mirren. Despite Ross County now being in a lower league, Lennon anticipated a tough challenge, emphasizing that a home tie was important but they would not take anything for granted, given County’s strong season following a relegation.
Teams Advancing to the Last 16
The group winners who advanced to the last 16 included Aberdeen, Ayr, Dundee United, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Kilmarnock, County, and Stenhousemuir. Dundee and Partick Thistle also progressed as runners-up.
Several teams received byes directly into the last 16 due to their participation in European competitions, representing Scotland. These teams are Celtic, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Motherwell, and Rangers.
While the Old Firm clubs, Rangers and Celtic, are set to play against top-flight opponents, the other three teams that received byes will face Championship sides. Hearts will host Caley Thistle, Hibs will play at home against Partick Thistle, and Motherwell will travel to face Stenhousemuir.
The full list of Premier Sports Cup last 16 fixtures is as follows:
- Aberdeen v Dundee
- Dundee United v Celtic
- Dunfermline Athletic v Ross County
- Heart of Midlothian v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
- Hibernian v Partick Thistle
- Kilmarnock v Ayr United
- Rangers v St Mirren
- Stenhousemuir v Motherwell
The second-round ties are scheduled to be played on the weekend of 15-16 August.
Source: bbc.com
Freya Donnelly is the Sports Reporter at News-UK, covering tennis, cricket and athletics with seven years of reporting experience. She reported on Team GB through an Olympic cycle. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Brighton and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Brighton, she plays club cricket in the summer. “Listening is the most underrated skill in sports reporting.”
