| Scottish League Cup 2022–23 | ||
| Region | Scotland | |
| Dates | 9 July 2022–26 February 2023 | |
| Number of teams | 45 | |
| Defending champions | Celtic | |
| Champions | Celtic (21st title) | |
| Runner-up | Rangers | |
| Total matches played | 95 | |
| Total goals scored | 293 | |
| Top goal scorer | 5 players (4 goals) | |
← 2021–22
|
2023–24 →
| |
The 2022–23 Scottish League Cup, also known as the Premier Sports Cup（until Semi-finals）/ Viaplay Cup（Final）for sponsorship reasons, was the 77th season of Scotland's second-most prestigious football knockout competition. Celtic were the defending champions. They retained the title to win the competition for a 21st time.
Schedule[]
| Round | First match date | Fixtures | Clubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group stage | 9 July 2022 | 80 | 45 → 16 |
| Second round | 30 August 2022 | 8 | 16 → 8 |
| Quarter finals | 18 October 2022 | 4 | 8 → 4 |
| Semi finals | 14 January 2023 | 2 | 4 → 2 |
| Final | 26 February 2023 | 1 | 2 → 1 |
Format[]
The format for the 2022–23 competition is similar to the previous six seasons, however, unlike previous seasons, the group stage will not be regionalised. The competition will begin with eight groups of five teams. The five clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League (Celtic and Rangers), Europa League (Heart of Midlothian) and Europa Conference League (Dundee United and Motherwell) qualifying rounds will receive a bye to the second round. The group stage will consist of 40 teams: all remaining teams that competed across the SPFL in 2021–22, and the 2021–22 Highland Football League champions (Fraserburgh) and runners-up (Buckie Thistle), and the 2021–22 Lowland Football League champions (Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic).
The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the three best runners-up, will progress to the second round (last 16). At this stage, the competition will revert to the traditional knock-out format. The three group winners with the highest points total and the European entrants will be seeded.
Bonus point system[]
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 will take place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.
Group stage[]
- Main article: 2022–23 Scottish League Cup group stage
The teams will be seeded according to their final league positions in 2021–22 and drawn into eight groups, with each group comprising one top seed, one second seed and three unseeded teams. The draw for the group stage will take place on 25 May 2022 and will be broadcast live on FreeSports & the SPFL YouTube channel.
Group A[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ABE | STI | RAI | DUM | PET | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aberdeen | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | +12 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 3–0 | 2–0 | — | |
| 2 | Stirling Albion | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 8 | 0–5 | — | — | — | 3–0 | ||
| 3 | Raith Rovers | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 6 | — | 1–1p | — | — | 6–0 | ||
| 4 | Dumbarton | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 4 | — | 1–2 | 0–0p | — | — | ||
| 5 | Peterhead | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 13 | −13 | 0 | 0–2 | — | — | 0–2 | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.
Group B[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | PAR | KIL | STE | MON | FRA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partick Thistle | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 11 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | — | 4–2 | 2–0 | |
| 2 | Kilmarnock | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 10 | 1–1p | — | 4–1 | — | — | ||
| 3 | Stenhousemuir | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 6 | 1–2 | — | — | — | 3–0 | ||
| 4 | Montrose | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 11 | −5 | 3 | — | 0–3 | 0–2 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Fraserburgh | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 12 | −9 | 0 | — | 1–3 | — | 2–4 | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.
Group C[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ROS | DNF | ALL | EFI | BUC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ross County | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | +10 | 11 | Qualification for the second round | — | 1–0 | — | 7–0 | — | |
| 2 | Dunfermline Athletic | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 7 | — | — | 1–1p | — | 5–0 | ||
| 3 | Alloa Athletic | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 7 | 0–2 | — | — | p1–1 | — | ||
| 4 | East Fife | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 12 | −8 | 4 | — | 0–2 | — | — | 3–2 | ||
| 5 | Buckie Thistle | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 13 | −9 | 1 | 1–1p | — | 1–4 | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.
Group D[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | FAL | GMO | HIB | BON | CLY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Falkirk | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 10 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 1–0 | — | 1–0 | |
| 2 | Greenock Morton | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 7 | 0–0p | — | — | 3–1 | — | ||
| 3 | Hibernian | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 6 | — | 0–3 | — | — | 5–0 | ||
| 4 | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | −4 | 4 | 1–1p | — | 1–4 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Clyde | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | −5 | 3 | — | 2–0 | — | 1–2 | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.
Group E[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ARB | AIR | STM | EDI | COW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arbroath | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | +9 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | 3–0 | — | — | 3–0 | |
| 2 | Airdrieonians | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 7 | — | — | 2–0 | 1–1p | — | ||
| 3 | St Mirren | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 6 | 0–1 | — | — | 3–1 | — | ||
| 4 | FC Edinburgh | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 5 | 1–3 | — | — | — | 3–0 | ||
| 5 | Cowdenbeath | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 11 | −11 | 0 | — | 0–3 | 0–2 | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.
Group F[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ANN | QOS | STJ | AYR | ELG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annan Athletic | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 10 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | — | p1–1 | 4–0 | |
| 2 | Queen of the South | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 8 | 2–3 | — | p2–2 | — | — | ||
| 3 | St Johnstone | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 8 | 0–0p | — | — | 1–0 | — | ||
| 4 | Ayr United | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 4 | — | 0–3 | — | — | 3–0 | ||
| 5 | Elgin City | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 13 | −11 | 0 | — | 0–2 | 2–4 | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.
Group G[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ICT | LIV | COV | ALB | KEL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 11 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | p1–1 | 4–0 | — | |
| 2 | Livingston | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 9 | 1–2 | — | — | — | 2–0 | ||
| 3 | Cove Rangers | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 4 | — | 1–2 | — | — | 2–3 | ||
| 4 | Albion Rovers | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 9 | −4 | 3 | — | 2–3 | 1–2 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Kelty Hearts | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 3 | 0–1 | — | — | 0–2 | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.
Group H[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | DND | HAM | QPA | FOR | STR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dundee | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 2 | +11 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | 3–0 | — | 5–1 | — | |
| 2 | Hamilton Academical | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 8 | — | — | p1–1 | — | 5–2 | ||
| 3 | Queen's Park | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 6 | +5 | 7 | 1–2 | — | — | 4–1 | — | ||
| 4 | Forfar Athletic | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 12 | −7 | 3 | — | 0–3 | — | — | 3–0 | ||
| 5 | Stranraer | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 16 | −12 | 0 | 0–3 | — | 2–5 | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.
Best runners-up[]
| Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | Kilmarnock | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 10 | Qualification for the second round |
| 2 | G | Livingston | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 9 | |
| 3 | F | Queen of the South | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 8 | |
| 4 | H | Hamilton Academical | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 8 | |
| 5 | A | Stirling Albion | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 8 | |
| 6 | C | Dunfermline Athletic | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 7 | |
| 7 | D | Greenock Morton | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 7 | |
| 8 | E | Airdrieonians | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 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.
Knockout phase[]
Second round[]
Draw and seeding[]
Celtic, Dundee United, Heart of Midlothian, Motherwell and Rangers will enter the competition at this stage, due to their participation in UEFA club competitions.
The draw took place on 24 July 2022, following the [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] v Raith Rovers match.
Teams in Bold advanced to the quarter-finals.
| Seeded | Unseeded |
|---|---|
Matches[]
| 30 August 2022 | Annan Athletic | 1–4 | Aberdeen | Annan | |
| 19:45 | Swinglehurst  81'
|
Besuijen 55', 105' Duk 97'Clarkson 117'
|
Stadium: Galabank Attendance: 1,538 Referee: Steven McLean |
| 30 August 2022 | Dundee | 3–0 | Falkirk | Dundee | |
| 19:45 | Cameron 55' Ashcroft 80'Robinson 90' (pen.)
|
Stadium: Dens Park Attendance: 3,195 Referee: Colin Steven |
| 30 August 2022 | Partick Thistle | 1–0 | Arbroath | Glasgow | |
| 19:45 | Fitzpatrick 83'
|
Stadium: Firhill Stadium Attendance: 1,960 Referee: John Beaton |
| 30 August 2022 | Rangers | 3–1 | Queen of the South | Glasgow | |
| 19:45 | Ure 10' Arfield 24', 86'
|
Connelly 17'
|
Stadium: Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 30,569 Referee: David Dickinson |
| 31 August 2022 | Heart of Midlothian | 0–1 | Kilmarnock | Edinburgh | |
| 19:45 | Cameron 21'
|
Stadium: Tynecastle Park Attendance: 11,071 Referee: Don Robertson |
| 31 August 2022 | Livingston | 1–2 | Dundee United | Livingston | |
| 19:45 | Guthrie 78'
|
Fletcher 15' Harkes 34'
|
Stadium: Almondvale Stadium Attendance: 1,497 Referee: David Munro |
| 31 August 2022 | Motherwell | 4–0 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Motherwell | |
| 19:45 | Van Veen 9', 38' (pen.), 67' (pen.) Devine 26' (o.g.)
|
Stadium: Fir Park Attendance: 3,982 Referee: Kevin Clancy |
| 31 August 2022 | Ross County | 1–4 | Celtic | Dingwall | |
| 19:45 | Iacovitti 68'
|
McGregor 21' Giakoumakis 25'Maeda 73'Forrest 90'
|
Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 4,801 Referee: Willie Collum |
Quarter-finals[]
The draw took place on 31 August 2022, following the Ross County v Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] match.
Matches[]
| 18 October 2022 | Kilmarnock | 2–1 | Dundee United | Kilmarnock | |
| 19:45 | Lafferty 8' (pen.) Armstrong 73'
|
Middleton 10'
|
Stadium: Rugby Park Attendance: 5,144 Referee: Kevin Clancy |
| 19 October 2022 | Motherwell | 0–4 | Celtic | Motherwell | |
| 18:15 | Abada 44', 56' Hatate 60'Furuhashi 76'
|
Stadium: Fir Park Attendance: 8,370 Referee: Don Robertson |
| 19 October 2022 | Aberdeen | 4–1 | Partick Thistle | Aberdeen | |
| 19:45 | Duk 16' Holt 31' (o.g.)Coulson 35'Duncan 85'
|
Brownlie 53'
|
Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium Attendance: 9,323 Referee: David Munro |
| 19 October 2022 | Rangers | 1–0 | Dundee | Glasgow | |
| 20:15 | Davis 10'
|
Stadium: Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 37,107 Referee: Willie Collum |
Semi-finals[]
The draw took place on 19 October 2022, following the Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] v Dundee match. VAR was used for the first time in the tournament when it was introduced at the semi-final stage.
Matches[]
| 14 January 2023 | Celtic | 2–0 | Kilmarnock | Glasgow | |
| 17:30 | Maeda 18' Giakoumakis 90+5'
|
Report | Stadium: Hampden Park Attendance: 45,787 Referee: Willie Collum |
| 15 January 2023 | Rangers | 2–1 | Aberdeen | Glasgow | |
| 15:00 | Jack 61' Roofe 94'
|
Report | Miovski 41' Stewart  
|
Stadium: Hampden Park Attendance: 47,562 Referee: Nick Walsh |
Final[]
- Main article: 2023 Scottish League Cup final (February)
| 26 February 2023 15:00 |
Rangers | 1–2 | Celtic | Hampden Park Attendance: 49,529 Referee: Nick Walsh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morelos 64'
|
Report | Furuhashi 44', 56'
|
Media coverage[]
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.
| Scottish League Cup |
| Scottish League Cup seasons |
|
2014–15 · 2015–16 · 2016–17 · 2017–18 · 2018–19 · 2019–20 · 2020–21 · 2021–22 · 2022–23 · 2023–24 · |
| Scottish League Cup finals |
|
2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 (February) · 2021 (December) · 2023 (February) · 2023 (December) · |
| 2022–23 in European football (UEFA) |
| Domestic leagues |
| Albania · Andorra · Armenia · Austria · Azerbaijan · Belarus '22 '23 · Belgium · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czech Republic · Denmark · England · Estonia '22 '23 · Faroe Islands '22 '23 · Finland '22 '23 · France · Georgia '22 '23 · Germany · Gibraltar · Greece · Hungary · Iceland '22 '23 · Israel · Italy · Kazakhstan '22 '23 · Kosovo · Latvia '22 '23 · Lithuania '22 '23 · Luxembourg · Malta · Moldova · Montenegro · Netherlands · North Macedonia · Northern Ireland · Norway '22 '23 · Poland · Portugal · Republic of Ireland '22 '23 · Romania · Russia · San Marino · Scotland · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden '22 '23 · Switzerland · Turkey · Ukraine · Wales |
| Domestic cups |
| Albania · Andorra · Armenia · Austria · Azerbaijan · Belarus · Belgium · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czech Republic · Denmark · England · Estonia · Faroe Islands '22 '23 · Finland '22 '23 · France · Georgia '22 '23 · Germany · Gibraltar · Greece · Hungary · Iceland '22 '23 · Israel · Italy · Kazakhstan '22 '23 · Kosovo · Latvia '22 '23 · Liechtenstein · Lithuania '22 '23 · Luxembourg · Malta · Moldova · Montenegro · Netherlands · North Macedonia · Northern Ireland · Norway · Poland · Portugal · Republic of Ireland '22 '23 · Romania · Russia · San Marino · Scotland · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · Turkey · |
| League cups |
| England · Iceland · Israel · Northern Ireland · Portugal · Republic of Ireland '23 · Scotland · Wales |
| Supercups |
| Albania · Andorra · Armenia · Azerbaijan · Belarus · Belgium · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · England · Estonia '22 '23 · Faroe Islands · France · Georgia · Germany · Iceland · Israel · Italy · Kazakhstan '22 '23 · Kosovo · Lithuania '22 '23 · Malta · Netherlands · Northern Ireland · Poland · Portugal · Republic of Ireland '22 '23 · Romania · Russia · San Marino · Spain · Turkey · |
| UEFA competitions |
| Champions League (qualifying phase and play-off round, group stage, knockout phase, Final) · Europa League (qualifying phase and play-off round, group stage, knockout phase, Final) · Europa Conference League (qualifying phase and play-off round, Champions Path, Main Path, group stage, knockout phase, Final) · Super Cup |
| International competitions |
| 2022 FIFA World Cup · UEFA Euro 2024 (qualification) · 2022–23 UEFA Nations League (League A · League B · League C · League D · Finals · Final) |
| 2022–23 in Scottish football |
| Domestic leagues |
| SPFL (Premiership · Championship · League One · League Two) · Highland · Lowland · Midlands · North Caledonian · North Superleague · East of Scotland · South of Scotland · West of Scotland |
| Domestic cups |
| Scottish Cup (Final) · League Cup (Group stage · Final) · Challenge Cup (Final) · South Region Challenge Cup |
| European competitions |
| Champions League (Final) · Europa Conference League (Final) |
| National teams |
| Senior · Women's |
| Club seasons |
| Premiership |
| Aberdeen · Celtic · Dundee United · Heart of Midlothian · Hibernian · Kilmarnock · Livingston · Motherwell · Rangers · Ross County · St Johnstone · St Mirren |
| Championship |
| Arbroath · Ayr United · Cove Rangers · Dundee · Greenock Morton · Hamilton Academical · Inverness Caledonian Thistle · Partick Thistle · Queen of the South · Raith Rovers |