 Premier Sports Cup logo | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Scotland |
| Dates | 9 July – 19 December 2021 |
| Teams | 45 |
| Defending champions | St Johnstone |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Celtic(20th title) |
| Runners-up | Hibernian |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 89 |
| Goals scored | 245 (2.75 per match) |
| Top goal scorer | Ally Roy (6 goals) |
The2021–22Scottish League Cup (also known as thePremier Sports Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 76th season of Scotland's second-most prestigiousfootball 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 all2020–21 Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) clubs, excluding those competing inChampions League,Europa League andEuropa Conference League qualifiers, as well as the winners of the2020–21 Highland Football League (Brora Rangers) and the2020–21 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 byPremier Sports, who became the tournament's title sponsor in April 2021.[2]
St Johnstone were the defending champions after beatingLivingston 1–0 in thelast season's final.[3] They were eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual winnersCeltic, who won their 20th title after beatingHibernian 2–1 in thefinal.[4]
| 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 |
The competition began with eight groups of five teams. The five clubs competing in theUEFA Champions League (Rangers andCeltic),Europa League (St Johnstone) andConference League (Hibernian andAberdeen) 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 the2020–21 Scottish Premiership, and all of the teams that competed in the2020–21 Scottish Championship,2020–21 Scottish League One and2020–21 Scottish League Two. The2020–21 Highland Football League and the2020–21 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 sideEast 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 traditionalknock-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.
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, apenalty shoot-out takes place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.
The group stage was made up of seven teams from the2020–21 Scottish Premiership, and all ten teams from each of the2020–21 Scottish Championship,2020–21 Scottish League One and2020–21 Scottish League Two, as well as the winners and runners-up of the2020–21 Lowland Football League and the winners of the2020–21 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 onFreeSports & theSPFL YouTube channel.[5]
| 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 thesecond 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 | — |
| 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 thesecond 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 | — |
| 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 thesecond 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 | — | — |
| 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 thesecond 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 | — |
| 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 thesecond 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 | — | — |
| 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 thesecond 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 | — | — |
| 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 thesecond 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 | — | — | — |
| 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 thesecond 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 | — |
| 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 thesecond 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 |
Aberdeen,Celtic,Hibernian,Rangers andSt Johnstone entered the competition at this stage, after receiving a bye for the group stage due to their participation inUEFA 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 inBold advanced to the quarter-finals.
| Seeded | Unseeded |
|---|---|
| 13 August 2021 | Rangers | 5–0 | Dunfermline Athletic | Glasgow |
| 19:30 | [25] | Stadium:Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 41,467 Referee:Willie Collum |
| 14 August 2021 | Ayr United | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–4p) | 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 | 1–0 | Motherwell | Dundee |
| 15:00 | Ashcroft 78' | [27] | Stadium:Dens Park Attendance: 3,700 Referee:Kevin Clancy |
| 14 August 2021 | Livingston | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (4–3p) | St Mirren | Livingston |
| 15:00 | Forrest 41' | [28] | McCarthy 82' | Stadium:Almondvale Stadium Attendance: 1,855 Referee: David Munro |
| Penalties | ||||
| 15 August 2021 | Raith Rovers | 2–1 | Aberdeen | Kirkcaldy |
| 12:00 | [29] | Emmanuel-Thomas 13' | Stadium:Stark's Park Attendance: 3,297 Referee:Steven McLean |
| 15 August 2021 | Arbroath | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (2–3p) | St Johnstone | Arbroath |
| 14:00 | [30] | Stadium:Gayfield Park Attendance: 1,842 Referee: Colin Steven | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 15 August 2021 | Hibernian | 2–0 | Kilmarnock | Edinburgh |
| 14:00 | [31] | Stadium:Easter Road Attendance: 5,990 Referee:Bobby Madden |
| 15 August 2021 | Celtic | 3–2 | Heart of Midlothian | Glasgow |
| 15:00 | [32] | Stadium:Celtic Park Attendance: 42,361 Referee:John Beaton |
Teams inBold advanced to the semi-finals.
| 22 September 2021 | Rangers | 2–0 | Livingston | Glasgow |
| 19:45 | [33] | Stadium:Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 35,579 Referee:Don Robertson |
| 22 September 2021 | Dundee | 0–2 | St Johnstone | Dundee |
| 19:45 | [34] | Stadium:Dens Park Attendance: 4,707 Referee:Steven McLean |
| 23 September 2021 | Celtic | 3–0 | Raith Rovers | Glasgow |
| 19:45 | [35] | Stadium:Celtic Park Attendance: 26,714 Referee: David Munro |
| 23 September 2021 | Dundee United | 1–3 | Hibernian | Dundee |
| 19:45 | Pawlett 58' | [36] | Stadium:Tannadice Park Attendance: 5,395 Referee:Willie Collum |
The draw for the semi-finals took place on 23 September 2021 live onPremier Sports following theCeltic vRaith Rovers match.[37]
| 20 November 2021 | Celtic | 1–0 | St Johnstone | Glasgow |
| 17:15 |
| [38] | Stadium:Hampden Park Attendance: 42,298 Referee:Nick Walsh |
| 21 November 2021 | Rangers | 1–3 | Hibernian | Glasgow |
| 16:00 |
| [39] | Stadium:Hampden Park Attendance: 45,014 Referee:Kevin Clancy |
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 vDundee United[40] |
| 13 July 2021 | Heart of Midlothian vCove Rangers[40] | |
| 14 July 2021 | Queen's Park vMotherwell[40] | |
| 18 July 2021 | ||
| 21 July 2021 | Airdrieonians vMotherwell[40] | |
| 25 July 2021 | St Mirren vPartick Thistle Heart of Midlothian vInverness CT[40] | |
| Second Round | 13 August 2021 | Rangers vDunfermline Athletic[41] |
| 15 August 2021 | Raith Rovers vAberdeen Celtic vHeart of Midlothian[41] | |
| Quarter-finals | 22 September 2021 | Dundee vSt Johnstone Rangers vLivingston[42] |
| 23 September 2021 | Celtic vRaith Rovers Dundee United vHibernian[42] | |
| Semi-finals | 20 November 2021 | Celtic vSt Johnstone[43] |
| 21 November 2021 | Rangers vHibernian[43] | |
| Final | 19 December 2021 | Hibernian vCeltic[44] |
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ally Roy | Queen of the South | 6 |
| 2 | Liam Boyce | Heart of Midlothian | 4 |
 Martin Boyle | Hibernian | ||
 Nathan Austin | Kelty Hearts | ||
 Brian Graham | Partick Thistle |
Source:[46]
