2023–24 Scottish League Cup

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.

2023–24 Scottish League Cup
Tournament details
CountryScotland
Dates15 July – 17 December 2023
Teams45
Defending championsCeltic
Final positions
ChampionsRangers (28th title)
Runner-upAberdeen
Tournament statistics
Matches played95
Goals scored287 (3.02 per match)
Attendance359,464 (3,784 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Simon Murray
(7 goals)

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

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Round First match date Fixtures Clubs
Group stage 15 July 2023[1] 80 45 → 16
Second round 19 August 2023[1] 8 16 → 80
Quarter finals 26 September 2023[1] 4 8 → 4
Semi finals 4 November 2023[1] 2 4 → 2
Final 17 December 2023[1] 1 2 → 1

Format

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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 (Aberdeen) and Europa Conference League (Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian) received a bye to the second round. The group stage consisted 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.[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

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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 finished in a draw, a penalty shoot-out took place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.[3]

Group stage

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The teams were 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.[2]

Group A

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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
Source: [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.[5]

Group B

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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
Source: [6]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[5]

Group C

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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
Source: [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.[5]

Group D

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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
Source: [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.[5]

Group E

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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
Source: [9]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[5]

Group F

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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
Source: [10]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[5]

Group G

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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
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.[5]

Group H

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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
Source: [12]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[5]

Best runners-up

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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
Source: [13]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[5]

Knockout phase

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Second round

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Draw and seeding

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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.[2]

Teams in bold advanced to the quarter-finals.

Seeded Unseeded

Matches

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18 August 2023 Stirling Albion1–2 Aberdeen Stirling
19:45
  • Spence   75'
[14]
Stadium: Forthbank Stadium
Attendance: 2,943
Referee: David Munro
19 August 2023 Rangers 2–1Greenock MortonGlasgow
12:30
[15] Gillespie   53' (pen.) Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 38,943
Referee: David Dickinson
19 August 2023 Airdrieonians3–4 (a.e.t.) Ross County Airdrie
15:00
[16]
Stadium: Excelsior Stadium
Attendance: 1,631
Referee: Steven McLean
19 August 2023 Livingston 2–0Ayr UnitedLivingston
15:00
[17] Stadium: Almondvale Stadium
Attendance: 1,304
Referee: Kevin Clancy
19 August 2023 St Mirren 1–0MotherwellPaisley
15:00
[18] Stadium: St Mirren Park
Attendance: 5,241
Referee: Willie Collum
20 August 2023 Hibernian 2–1Raith RoversEdinburgh
14:00
[19]
Stadium: Easter Road
Attendance: 8,674
Referee: Nick Walsh
20 August 2023 Heart of Midlothian 4–0Partick ThistleEdinburgh
14:00
[20] Stadium: Tynecastle Park
Attendance: 12,841
Referee: John Beaton
20 August 2023 Kilmarnock 1–0CelticKilmarnock
15:00
[21] Stadium: Rugby Park
Attendance: 8,002
Referee: Alan Muir

Quarter-finals

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Rangers vs Livingston at Ibrox Stadium, 27 September 2023

The draw took place on Sunday 20 August 2023 following the Kilmarnock v Celtic match live on Viaplay Sports 1.[22]

Teams in bold advanced to the semi-finals.

Premiership
26 September 2023 Kilmarnock1–2 Heart of Midlothian Kilmarnock
19:45
[23]
Stadium: Rugby Park
Attendance: 6,014
Referee: Steven McLean
27 September 2023 Hibernian 4–2St MirrenEdinburgh
19:45
[24]
Stadium: Easter Road
Attendance: 9,982
Referee: David Munro
27 September 2023 Ross County1–2 Aberdeen Dingwall
19:45
[25]
Stadium: Victoria Park
Attendance: 4,637
Referee: John Beaton
27 September 2023 Rangers 4–0LivingstonGlasgow
20:00
[26] Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 35,420
Referee: Willie Collum

Semi-finals

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The draw took place on Wednesday 27 September 2023 following the Rangers v Livingston match live on Viaplay Sports 1.[27]

Teams in bold advanced to the final.

Premiership
4 November 2023 Hibernian0–1 Aberdeen Glasgow
17:15 [28]
Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 28,295
Referee: John Beaton
5 November 2023 Heart of Midlothian1–3 Rangers Glasgow
15:00
[29]
Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 44,734
Referee: Nick Walsh

Final

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17 December 2023 Rangers 1–0AberdeenGlasgow
15:00
Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 49,296
Referee: Don Robertson

Media coverage

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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.[30]

The following matches were broadcast live on UK television:

Round Date Match
Group stage 15 July 2023 Raith Rovers v Dunfermline Athletic[31]
18 July 2023 Dundee United v Partick Thistle[31]
22 July 2023 Motherwell v Queen's Park[31]
25 July 2023 Falkirk v Dundee United[31]
30 July 2023 Dundee v Inverness Caledonian Thistle[31]
Second round 19 August 2023 Rangers v Greenock Morton[32]
20 August 2023 Kilmarnock v Celtic[32]
Quarter-Finals 26 September 2023 Kilmarnock v Heart of Midlothian[33]
27 September 2023 Rangers v Livingston[33]
Semi-Finals 4 November 2023 Hibernian v Aberdeen[34]
5 November 2023 Heart of Midlothian v Rangers[34]
Final 17 December 2023 Rangers v Aberdeen[35]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Date set for Viaplay Cup draw". SPFL. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "2023/24 Viaplay Cup draw seedings". SPFL. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  3. ^ "New League Cup format and TV deal". SPFL. 7 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group A". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group B". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group C". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group D". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group E". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group F". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group G". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group H". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Summary - League Cup". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  14. ^ "Stirling Albion vs. Aberdeen - 18 August 2023". Soccerway. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Rangers vs. Greenock Morton - 19 August 2023". Soccerway. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Airdrieonians vs. Ross County - 19 August 2023". Soccerway. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  17. ^ "Livingston vs. Ayr United - 19 August 2023". Soccerway. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  18. ^ "St Mirren vs. Motherwell - 19 August 2023". Soccerway. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  19. ^ "Hibernian vs. Raith Rovers - 20 August 2023". Soccerway. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  20. ^ "Heart of Midlothian vs. Partick Thistle - 20 August 2023". Soccerway. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Kilmarnock vs. Celtic - 20 August 2023". Soccerway. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Viaplay Cup draw on Sunday". SPFL. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  23. ^ "Kilmarnock vs. Hearts - 26 September 2023". Soccerway. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  24. ^ "Hibernian vs. St. Mirren - 27 September 2023". Soccerway. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  25. ^ "Ross County vs. Aberdeen - 27 September 2023". Soccerway. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  26. ^ "Rangers vs. Livingston - 27 September 2023". Soccerway. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  27. ^ "Viaplay Cup semi-final draw". SPFL. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  28. ^ "Hibernian vs. Aberdeen - 4 November 2023". Soccerway. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  29. ^ "Hearts vs. Rangers - 5 November 2023". Soccerway. 5 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  30. ^ "Premier Sports to sponsor League Cup". SPFL. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  31. ^ a b c d e "Viaplay Cup group stage fixtures". SPFL. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  32. ^ a b "Viaplay Cup R2 fixture details". SPFL. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Viaplay Cup quarter-final update". SPFL. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  34. ^ a b "Viaplay Cup semi-final details". SPFL. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  35. ^ "Viaplay Cup Final 2023/24". SPFL. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.