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The 2024–25 Scottish League Cup, also known as the Premier Sports Cup for sponsorship reasons, was the 79th season of Scotland's second-most prestigious football knockout competition. Rangers were the defending champions, but they lost 4–5 on penalties to Celtic in the final.
 Premier Sports Cup logo | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Scotland |
| Dates | 13 July – 15 December 2024 |
| Teams | 45 |
| Defending champions | Rangers |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Celtic (22nd title) |
| Runner-up | Rangers |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 95 |
| Goals scored | 320 (3.37 per match) |
| Attendance | 441,031 (4,642 per match) |
| Top goal scorer(s) | Ben Wilson (6 goals) |
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 reverted to the traditional knock-out format. The three group winners with the highest points total and the European entrants were seeded.
Bonus point system
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]
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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
| 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 | — |
Group B
| 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 | — | — | — |
Group C
| 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 | — |
Group D
| 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 | — | — |
Group E
| 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:
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:
- 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
| 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 | — | — | — |
Group G
| 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 | — |
Group H
| 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 | — | — |
Best runners-up
| 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 |
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Second round
Draw and seeding
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.
Matches
| 17 August 2024 | Aberdeen | 1–0 | Queen's Park | Aberdeen |
| 15:00 |
|
[16] | Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium Attendance: 8,939 Referee: Colin Steven |
| 17 August 2024 | Falkirk | 2–0 | Heart of Midlothian | Falkirk |
| 15:00 | [17] | Stadium: Falkirk Stadium Attendance: 6,653 Referee: David Dickinson |
| 17 August 2024 | Dundee | 6–1 | Airdrieonians | Dundee |
| 15:00 | [18] |
|
Stadium: Dens Park Attendance: 3,327 Referee: Euan Anderson |
| 17 August 2024 | The Spartans | 1–0 | Ross County | Edinburgh |
| 15:00 |
|
[19] | Stadium: Ainslie Park Attendance: 712 Referee: Dan McFarlane |
| 17 August 2024 | Rangers | 2–0 | St Johnstone | Glasgow |
| 17:45 |
|
[20] | Stadium: Hampden Park Attendance: 23,261 Referee: Matthew MacDermid |
| 18 August 2024 | Dundee United | 1–0 | St Mirren | Dundee |
| 14:00 |
|
[21] | Stadium: Tannadice Park Attendance: 4,285 Referee: John Beaton |
| 18 August 2024 | Motherwell | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Kilmarnock | Motherwell |
| 14:00 |
|
[22] | Stadium: Fir Park Attendance: 4,371 Referee: Nick Walsh |
| 18 August 2024 | Celtic | 3–1 | Hibernian | Glasgow |
| 15:00 | [23] |
|
Stadium: Celtic Park Attendance: 47,370 Referee: Kevin Clancy |
Quarter-finals
Draw
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
| 20 September 2024 | Motherwell | 2–1 | Dundee United | Motherwell |
| 19:45 | [25] |
|
Stadium: Fir Park Attendance: 8,327 Referee: John Beaton |
| 21 September 2024 | Aberdeen | 4–0 | The Spartans | Aberdeen |
| 17:30 | [26] | Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium Attendance: 11,615 Referee: Ross Hardie |
| 21 September 2024 | Rangers | 3–0 | Dundee | Glasgow |
| 17:30 | [27] | Stadium: Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 33,665 (partial closure of Copland Road Stand) Referee: Chris Graham |
Semi-finals
Draw
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
| 2 November 2024 | Celtic | 6–0 | Aberdeen | Glasgow |
| 17:30 GMT |
|
[30] | Stadium: Hampden Park Attendance: 47,544 Referee: Kevin Clancy |
| 3 November 2024 | Motherwell | 1–2 | Rangers | Glasgow |
| 15:00 GMT |
|
[31] | Stadium: Hampden Park Attendance: 37,077 Referee: Nick Walsh |
Final
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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.[33] 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.[34]
The following matches will be broadcast live:
| Round | Date | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Group stage | 13 July 2024
(Matchday 1) |
|
| 16 July 2024
(Matchday 2) |
| |
| 20 July 2024
(Matchday 3) |
| |
| 23 July 2024
(Matchday 4) |
| |
| 27 July 2024
(Matchday 5) |
| |
| 28 July 2024
(Matchday 5) |
Motherwell v Partick Thistle[35] | |
| Second Round | 17 August 2024 |
|
| 18 August 2024 |
| |
| Quarter-Finals | 20 September 2024 |
|
| 21 September 2024 |
| |
| 22 September 2024 |
| |
| Semi-Finals | 2 November 2024 |
|
| 3 November 2024 |
| |
| Final | 15 December 2024 |
|
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