 Premier Sports Cup logo | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Scotland |
| Dates | 9 July 2022 – 26 February 2023 |
| Teams | 45 |
| Defending champions | Celtic |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Celtic(21st title) |
| Runners-up | Rangers |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 95 |
| Goals scored | 296 (3.12 per match) |
| Top goal scorer(s) | 5 players (4 goals) |
The2022–23Scottish League Cup, also known as thePremier Sports Cup (until the semi-finals)/Viaplay Cup (final) for sponsorship reasons, was the 77th season of Scotland's second-most prestigiousfootball knockout competition.Celtic were the defending champions. They retained the title to win the competition for a 21st time.[1]
| Round | First match date | Fixtures | Clubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group stage | 9 July 2022[2] | 80 | 45 → 16 |
| Second round | 30 August 2022[2] | 8 | 16 → 8 |
| Quarter finals | 18 October 2022[2] | 4 | 8 → 4 |
| Semi finals | 14 January 2023[2] | 2 | 4 → 2 |
| Final | 26 February 2023[2] | 1 | 2 → 1 |
The format for the 2022–23 competition was similar to the previous six seasons; however, this season the group stage was not regionalised.[2] The competition began with eight groups of five teams. The five clubs initially competing in theUEFA Champions League (Celtic andRangers),Europa League (Heart of Midlothian) andEuropa Conference League (Dundee United andMotherwell) qualifying rounds received a bye to the second round. The group stage consisted of 40 teams: all remaining teams that competed across theSPFL in2021–22, and the2021–22 Highland Football League champions (Fraserburgh) and runners-up (Buckie Thistle), and the2021–22 Lowland Football League champions (Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic).[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 traditionalknock-out format. The three group winners with the highest points total and the European entrants were seeded.
The traditional point system of awarding three points for a win and one point for a draw was used; however, for each group stage match that finished in a draw, apenalty shoot-out took place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.[3]
The teams were seeded according to their final league positions in 2021–22 and drawn into eight groups, with each group comprising one team from each pot. The draw for the group stage took place on 25 May 2022 and was broadcast live onFreeSports & theSPFL YouTube channel.[2]
| 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 thesecond 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 | — |
| 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 thesecond 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 | — |
| 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 thesecond 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 | — | — |
| 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 thesecond 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[a] | — | — | 5–0 | ||
| 4 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 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 | — |
| 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 thesecond 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 | 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 | — | — |
| 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 thesecond 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[a] | ||
| 5 | Elgin City | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 13 | −11 | 0 | — | 0–2 | 2–4 | — | — |
| 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 thesecond 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 | — |
| 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 thesecond 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[a] | ||
| 5 | Stranraer | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 16 | −12 | 0 | 0–3 | — | 2–5 | — | — |
| 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 thesecond 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 |
Celtic,Dundee United,Heart of Midlothian,Motherwell andRangers entered the competition at this stage, due to their participation inUEFA club competitions.[2]
The draw took place on 24 July 2022, following theAberdeen vRaith Rovers match.[16]
Teams inbold advanced to the quarter-finals.
| Seeded | Unseeded |
|---|---|
| 30 August 2022 | Annan Athletic | 1–4 (a.e.t.) | Aberdeen | Annan |
| 19:45 |
| [17] | Stadium:Galabank Attendance: 1,538 Referee:Steven McLean |
| 30 August 2022 | Dundee | 3–0 | Falkirk | Dundee |
| 19:45 | [18] | Stadium:Dens Park Attendance: 3,195 Referee: Colin Steven |
| 30 August 2022 | Partick Thistle | 1–0 | Arbroath | Glasgow |
| 19:45 |
| [19] | Stadium:Firhill Stadium Attendance: 1,960 Referee:John Beaton |
| 30 August 2022 | Rangers | 3–1 | Queen of the South | Glasgow |
| 19:45 |
| [20] |
| Stadium:Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 30,569 Referee: David Dickinson |
| 31 August 2022 | Heart of Midlothian | 0–1 | Kilmarnock | Edinburgh |
| 19:45 | [21] |
| Stadium:Tynecastle Park Attendance: 11,071 Referee:Don Robertson |
| 31 August 2022 | Livingston | 1–2 | Dundee United | Livingston |
| 19:45 |
| [22] | Stadium:Almondvale Stadium Attendance: 1,497 Referee: David Munro |
| 31 August 2022 | Motherwell | 4–0 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Motherwell |
| 19:45 | [23] | Stadium:Fir Park Attendance: 3,982 Referee:Kevin Clancy |
| 31 August 2022 | Ross County | 1–4 | Celtic | Dingwall |
| 19:45 |
| [24] |
| Stadium:Victoria Park Attendance: 4,801 Referee:Willie Collum |
The draw took place on 31 August 2022, following theRoss County vCeltic match.[25]
| 18 October 2022 | Kilmarnock | 2–1 | Dundee United | Kilmarnock |
| 19:45 | [26] |
| Stadium:Rugby Park Attendance: 5,144 Referee:Kevin Clancy |
| 19 October 2022 | Motherwell | 0–4 | Celtic | Motherwell |
| 18:15 | [27] | Stadium:Fir Park Attendance: 8,370 Referee:Don Robertson |
| 19 October 2022 | Aberdeen | 4–1 | Partick Thistle | Aberdeen |
| 19:45 | [28] |
| Stadium:Pittodrie Stadium Attendance: 9,323 Referee: David Munro |
| 19 October 2022 | Rangers | 1–0 | Dundee | Glasgow |
| 20:15 |
| [29] | Stadium:Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 37,107 Referee:Willie Collum |
The draw took place on 19 October 2022, following theRangers vDundee match.[30]VAR was used for the first time in the tournament when it was introduced at the semi-final stage.[31]
| 14 January 2023 | Celtic | 2–0 | Kilmarnock | Glasgow |
| 17:30 |
| [32] | Stadium:Hampden Park Attendance: 45,787 Referee:Willie Collum |
| 15 January 2023 | Rangers | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Aberdeen | Glasgow |
| 15:00 | [33] |
| Stadium:Hampden Park Attendance: 47,562 Referee:Nick Walsh |
The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held exclusively byPremier Sports, who will broadcast between 12 and 16 live matches per season, as well as highlights.[34]
The following matches were broadcast live on UK television:
| Round | Date | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Group stage | 10 July 2022 | Peterhead vAberdeen[35] |
| 12 July 2022 | Falkirk vHibernian[35] | |
| 13 July 2022 | Kilmarnock vPartick Thistle[35] | |
| 17 July 2022 | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic v Hibernian[35] | |
| 19 July 2022 | ||
| 24 July 2022 | Aberdeen vRaith Rovers[35] | |
| Second round | 30 August 2022 | Rangers vQueen of the South[36] |
| 31 August 2022 | Ross County vCeltic[36] | |
| Quarter-finals | 18 October 2022 | Kilmarnock vDundee United[37] |
| 19 October 2022 | Motherwell v Celtic[37] | |
| Rangers vDundee[37] | ||
| Semi-finals | 14 January 2023 | Celtic v Kilmarnock[38] |
| 15 January 2023 | Rangers v Aberdeen[38] | |
| Final | 26 February 2023 | Rangers v Celtic[39] |
| Rank[40] | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Vicente Besuijen | Aberdeen | 4 |
 Conor Sammon | Alloa Athletic | ||
 Alex Jakubiak | Dundee | ||
| Oli Shaw | Kilmarnock | ||
 Jonah Ayunga | St Mirren | ||
| 6 | 21 players | 3 | |
