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League stub
This article about 2023–24 Scottish League Cup is a stub, an article too short to provide more than rudimentary information about a subject. You can help The Football Database Wiki by expanding it.
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| Scottish League Cup 2023–24 | ||
| Region | Scotland | |
| Dates | 15 July–17 December 2023 | |
| Number of teams | 45 | |
| Defending champions | Celtic | |
| Champions | Rangers | |
| Runner-up | Aberdeen | |
| Total matches played | 95 | |
| Total goals scored | 287 | |
| Top goal scorer | Simon Murray (7 goals) | |
← 2022–23
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2024–25 →
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The 2023–24 Scottish League Cup, also known as the Viaplay Cup for sponsorship reasons, was the 78th season of Scotland's second-most prestigious football knockout competition.
Celtic were the two-time defending champions, but were eliminated in the second round by Kilmarnock.
Rangers won their 28th Scottish League Cup beating Aberdeen 1–0 in the final.
Schedule[]
| Round | First match date | Fixtures | Clubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group stage | 15 July 2023 | 80 | 45 → 16 |
| Second round | 19 August 2023 | 8 | 16 → 8 |
| Quarter finals | 26 September 2023 | 4 | 8 → 4 |
| Semi finals | 4 November 2023 | 2 | 4 → 2 |
| Final | 17 December 2023 | 1 | 2 → 1 |
Format[]
The competition begins with eight groups of five teams. The five clubs initially competing in the UEFA Champions League (Celtic and Rangers), Europa League (Aberdeen) and Europa Conference League (Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian) receive a bye to the second round. The group stage consists of 40 teams: all remaining teams that competed across the SPFL in 2022–23, the 2022–23 Highland Football League champions (Brechin City) and 2022–23 Lowland Football League champions (The Spartans). Unlike previous seasons where the remaining group stage spot was given to the runners-up of the Highland League or Lowland League, Cowdenbeath – who finished 15th in the Lowland League, having been relegated from Scottish League Two in 2022 – accepted an invitation to participate.
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 reverts 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. In addition, 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: 2023–24 Scottish League Cup group stage
The teams are seeded according to their final league positions in 2022–23 and drawn into eight groups, with each group comprising one team from each pot. The draw for the group stage took place on 8 June 2023 and was broadcast live on Viaplay & the SPFL YouTube channel.
Group A[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | AYR | STI | STJ | STE | ALL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ayr United | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 11 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | — | 1–0 | 6–0 | |
| 2 | Stirling Albion | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 10 | 1–1p | — | — | 2–1 | — | ||
| 3 | St Johnstone | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 3 | 1–2 | 0–4 | — | — | — | ||
| 4 | Stenhousemuir | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 3 | — | — | 1–0 | — | 1–3 | ||
| 5 | Alloa Athletic | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 13 | −9 | 3 | — | 1–2 | 0–4 | — | — |
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 B[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | PAR | FAL | DUN | SPA | PET | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partick Thistle | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 9 | Qualification for the second round | — | 2–2p | — | 2–1 | — | |
| 2 | Falkirk | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 8 | — | — | 0–1 | — | 4–1 | ||
| 3 | Dundee United | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 | 1–2 | — | — | — | 3–0 | ||
| 4 | The Spartans | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 | — | 1–2 | 1–0 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Peterhead | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 10 | −7 | 1 | 1–1p | — | — | 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 C[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | LIV | HAM | COV | BRE | CLY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Livingston | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | +9 | 10 | Qualification for the second round | — | 1–1p | — | — | 1–0 | |
| 2 | Hamilton Academical | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 9 | — | — | 2–2p | 1–0 | — | ||
| 3 | Cove Rangers | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 11 | −1 | 8 | 0–5 | — | — | — | 5–2 | ||
| 4 | Brechin City | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 8 | −4 | 3 | 0–3 | — | 2–3 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Clyde | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 11 | −7 | 0 | — | 1–3 | — | 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 D[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ROS | GMO | KEL | STR | EDI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ross County | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 6 | +7 | 10 | Qualification for the second round | — | 2–1 | 3–3p | — | — | |
| 2 | Greenock Morton | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 9 | — | — | — | 3–0 | 4–1 | ||
| 3 | Kelty Hearts | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 9 | +2 | 8 | — | 1–3 | — | 2–0 | — | ||
| 4 | Stranraer | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 11 | −8 | 3 | 1–5 | — | — | — | 2–1 | ||
| 5 | Edinburgh City | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 14 | −8 | 0 | 1–3 | — | 3–5 | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.
Group E[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | AIR | DND | DUM | ICT | BON | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Airdrieonians | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | 1–0 | 2–0 | — | — | |
| 2 | Dundee | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 9 | — | — | 3–1 | 1–0 | — | ||
| 3 | Dumbarton | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 5 | — | — | — | 2–1 | p0–0 | ||
| 4 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 3 | 2–3 | — | — | — | 2–1 | ||
| 5 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 1 | 0–1 | 0–1 | — | — | — |
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 | KIL | RAI | DNF | ALB | ANN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kilmarnock | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 10 | Qualification for the second round | — | 2–2p | — | — | 3–0 | |
| 2 | Raith Rovers | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 9 | — | — | 1–1p | 2–0 | — | ||
| 3 | Dunfermline Athletic | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 8 | 0–2 | — | — | — | 4–0 | ||
| 4 | Albion Rovers | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | −5 | 3 | 1–2 | — | 0–3 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Annan Athletic | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 12 | −9 | 0 | — | 2–3 | — | 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 G[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | MOT | QOS | EFI | QPA | ELG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motherwell | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 11 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 3–0 | 1–0 | — | |
| 2 | Queen of the South | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 8 | 3–3p | — | 0–0p | — | — | ||
| 3 | East Fife | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 7 | — | — | — | p0–0 | 3–1 | ||
| 4 | Queen's Park | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 4 | — | 1–2 | — | — | 5–0 | ||
| 5 | Elgin City | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 12 | −11 | 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 H[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | STM | FOR | ARB | MON | COW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Mirren | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 9 | Qualification for the second round | — | 4–0 | 4–0 | — | — | |
| 2 | Forfar Athletic | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 9 | — | — | 3–1 | — | 1–0 | ||
| 3 | Arbroath | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 8 | −3 | 5 | — | — | — | 3–0 | p1–1 | ||
| 4 | Montrose | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 5 | 1–0 | 1–2 | — | — | — | ||
| 5 | Cowdenbeath | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 2 | 0–1 | — | — | 1–1p | — |
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 | A | Stirling Albion | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 10 | Qualification for the second round |
| 2 | D | Greenock Morton | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 9 | |
| 3 | F | Raith Rovers | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 9 | |
| 4 | C | Hamilton Academical | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 9 | |
| 5 | E | Dundee | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 9 | |
| 6 | H | Forfar Athletic | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 9 | |
| 7 | B | Falkirk | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 8 | |
| 8 | G | Queen of the South | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 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.
Knockout phase[]
Second round[]
Draw and seeding[]
Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian entered the competition at this stage, due to their participation in UEFA club competitions. They joined the three group winners with the best records as the eight seeded sides. The other five group winners and the three best runners up were the unseeded sides.
Teams in bold advanced to the quarter-finals.
| Seeded | Unseeded |
|---|---|
Matches[]
| 18 August 2023 | Stirling Albion | 1–2 | Aberdeen | Stirling | |
| 19:45 | Spence  75'
|
Miovski 29'
Clarkson |
Stadium: Forthbank Stadium Attendance: 2,943 Referee: David Munro |
| 19 August 2023 | Rangers | 2–1 | Greenock Morton | Glasgow | |
| 12:30 | Dessers 60' (pen.)
Danilo |
Gillespie 53' (pen.)
|
Stadium: Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 38,943 Referee: David Dickinson |
| 19 August 2023 | Airdrieonians | 3–4 | Ross County | Airdrie | |
| 15:00 | Gallagher 36', 82' (pen.)
O'Connor |
Turner 6'
White |
Stadium: Excelsior Stadium Referee: Steven McLean |
| 19 August 2023 | Livingston | 2–0 | Ayr United | Livingston | |
| 15:00 | Nouble 12'
Montaño |
Stadium: Almondvale Stadium Attendance: 1,304 Referee: Kevin Clancy |
| 19 August 2023 | St Mirren | 1–0 | Motherwell | Paisley | |
| 15:00 | Boyd-Munce 9'
|
Stadium: St Mirren Park Attendance: 5,241 Referee: Willie Collum |
| 20 August 2023 | Hibernian | 2–1 | Raith Rovers | Edinburgh | |
| 14:00 | Youan 56'
Vente |
Smith 67'
|
Stadium: Easter Road |
| 20 August 2023 | Heart of Midlothian | 4–0 | Partick Thistle | Edinburgh | |
| 14:00 | Graham 10' (o.g.)
Offiah |
Stadium: Tynecastle Park |
| 20 August 2023 | Kilmarnock | 1–0 | Celtic | Kilmarnock | |
| 15:00 | Watkins 59'
|
Stadium: Rugby Park |
Quarter-finals[]
The draw took place on Sunday 20 August 2023 following the Kilmarnock v Celtic match live on Viaplay Sports 1.
| Premiership |
|---|
| 26 September 2023 | Kilmarnock | 1–2 | Heart of Midlothian | Kilmarnock | |
| 19:45 | Lyons 68'
|
Grant 40' Lowry 90'
|
Stadium: Rugby Park Attendance: 6,014 Referee: Steven McLean |
| 27 September 2023 | Hibernian | 4–2 | St Mirren | Edinburgh | |
| 19:45 | Youan 52' Vente 54'Boyle 80', 90'
|
Tanser 43' Baccus 76'
|
Stadium: Easter Road Attendance: 9,982 Referee: David Munro |
| 27 September 2023 | Ross County | 1–2 | Aberdeen | Dingwall | |
| 19:45 | Turner 83' (pen.)
|
Shinnie 8' Sokler 80'
|
Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 4,637 Referee: John Beaton |
| 27 September 2023 | Rangers | 4–0 | Livingston | Glasgow | |
| 20:00 | Sima 10' Yılmaz 66'de Lucas 84' (o.g.)Jack 90'
|
Stadium: Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 35,420 Referee: Willie Collum |
Semi-finals[]
The draw took place on Wednesday 27 September 2023 following the Rangers v Livingston match live on Viaplay Sports 1.
Teams in bold advanced to the final.
| Premiership |
|---|
| 4 November 2023 | Hibernian | 0–1 | Aberdeen | Glasgow | |
| 17:15 | Miovski 78'
|
Stadium: Hampden Park Attendance: 28,295 Referee: John Beaton |
| 5 November 2023 | Heart of Midlothian | 1–3 | Rangers | Glasgow | |
| 15:00 | Shankland 81' (pen.)
|
Tavernier 50' (pen.), 64' Wright 55'
|
Stadium: Hampden Park Attendance: 44,734 Referee: Nick Walsh |
Final[]
- Main article: 2023 Scottish League Cup final (December)
| 17 December 2023 15:00 GMT |
Aberdeen | 1–0 | Rangers | Hampden Park Attendance: 49,296 Referee: Don Robertson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tavernier 76'
|
Report |
Media coverage[]
The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held exclusively by Viaplay Sports, who will broadcast between 12 and 16 live matches per season, as well as highlights.
The following matches will be broadcast live on UK television:
| Round | Date | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Group stage | 15 July 2023 | Raith Rovers v Dunfermline Athletic |
| 18 July 2023 | Dundee United v Partick Thistle | |
| 22 July 2023 | Motherwell v Queen's Park | |
| 25 July 2023 | Falkirk v Dundee United | |
| 30 July 2023 | Dundee v Inverness Caledonian Thistle |
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