2019–20 Scottish League Cup

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2019–20 Scottish League Cup
CountryScotland
Dates12 July – 8 December 2019
Teams44
Defending championsCeltic
ChampionsCeltic
Runners-upRangers
Matches played95
Goals scored298 (3.14 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Florian Kamberi
Kevin Nisbet
(5 goals)

The 2019–20 Scottish League Cup (also known as the Betfred Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 74th season of Scotland's second-most prestigious football knockout competition.

The format for the 2019–20 competition was the same as the previous three seasons.

It began with eight groups of five teams which included all 2018–19 Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) clubs, excluding those competing in Champions League and Europa League qualifiers, as well as the winners of the 2018–19 Highland Football League (Cove Rangers) and the 2018–19 Lowland Football League (East Kilbride).

Schedule[]

Round First match date Fixtures Clubs
Group stage 13 July 2019[1] 80 44 → 16
Second round 16 August 2019[1] 8 16 → 80
Quarter finals 24 September 2019[1] 4 8 → 4
Semi finals 2 November 2019[1] 2 4 → 2
Final 8 December 2019[1] 1 2 → 1

Format[]

The competition began with eight groups of five teams. The four clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League (Celtic) and Europa League (Rangers, Kilmarnock, and Aberdeen) qualifying rounds were given a bye through to the second round. The 40 teams competing in the group stage consisted of the other eight teams that competed in the 2018–19 Scottish Premiership, and all of the teams that competed in the 2018–19 Scottish Championship, 2018–19 Scottish League One and 2018–19 Scottish League Two, as well as the 2018–19 Highland Football League and the 2018–19 Lowland Football League champions.

The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the four best runners-up progressed to the second round (last 16), which includes the four UEFA qualifying clubs. At this stage, the competition reverts to the traditional knock-out format. The four group winners with the highest points total and the clubs entering at this stage are seeded, with the four group winners with the lowest points unseeded along with the four best runners-up.

Bonus point system[]

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.[2] 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 takes place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.

Group stage[]

The group stage was made up of eight teams from the 2018–19 Scottish Premiership, and all ten teams from each of the 2018–19 Scottish Championship, 2018–19 Scottish League One and 2018–19 Scottish League Two, as well as the winners of the 2018–19 Highland Football League and 2018–19 Lowland 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 2019 and was broadcast live on the SPFL YouTube channel.

North[]

Group A[]

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification HOM EFI DUN STE COW
1 Heart of Midlothian 4 2 1 1 0 6 3 +3 9 Qualification for the Second Round p1–1 2–1
2 East Fife 4 2 1 0 1 5 3 +2 8 p1–1 2–0
3 Dundee United 4 2 0 1 1 6 4 +2 7 0–2 3–0
4 Stenhousemuir 4 1 0 0 3 4 6 −2 3 1–2 2–0
5 Cowdenbeath 4 1 0 0 3 2 7 −5 3 0–2 2–0
Source: [3]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[4]

Group B[]

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ROS FOR MON STJ BRE
1 Ross County 4 4 0 0 0 12 2 +10 12 Qualification for the Second Round 2–0 4–1
2 Forfar Athletic 4 3 0 0 1 9 4 +5 9 2–1 3–0
3 Montrose 4 1 1 0 2 4 9 −5 5 1–4 1–0
4 St Johnstone 4 1 0 0 3 6 5 +1 3 1–2 4–0
5 Brechin City 4 0 0 1 3 1 12 −11 1 0–4 1–1p
Source: [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.[6]

Group C[]

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification HIB ALO ARB ELG STI
1 Hibernian 4 3 1 0 0 8 1 +7 11 Qualification for the Second Round 2–0 3–0
2 Alloa Athletic 4 2 0 1 1 8 8 0 7 3–3p 2–1
3 Arbroath 4 2 0 0 2 10 8 +2 6 2–3 2–1
4 Elgin City 4 1 1 0 2 7 7 0 5 0–2 3–0
5 Stirling Albion 4 0 0 1 3 3 12 −9 1 1–1p 1–6
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.[8]

Group D[]

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification DND ICT PET COV RAI
1 Dundee 4 2 2 0 0 4 0 +4 10 Qualification for the Second Round 1–0 p0–0
2 Inverness CT 4 2 0 1 1 7 4 +3 7 3–2 4–1
3 Peterhead 4 1 1 1 1 3 4 −1 6 p0–0 2–1
4 Cove Rangers 4 1 0 1 2 6 5 +1 4 0–0p 3–0
5 Raith Rovers 4 1 0 0 3 4 11 −7 3 0–3 3–1
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.[10]

South[]

Group E[]

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification MOT GMO QOS DUM ANN
1 Motherwell 4 4 0 0 0 13 0 +13 12 Qualification for the Second Round 4–0 4–0
2 Greenock Morton 4 2 1 0 1 14 8 +6 8 p3–3 6–1
3 Queen of the South 4 1 1 1 1 10 10 0 6 0–3 p3–3
4 Dumbarton 4 1 0 0 3 3 12 −9 3 0–2 1–4
5 Annan Athletic 4 0 0 1 3 3 13 −10 1 0–5 0–1
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.[12]

Group F[]

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification PAR HAM AIR QPA CLY
1 Partick Thistle 4 3 0 1 0 8 5 +3 10 Qualification for the Second Round 1–0 3–2
2 Hamilton Academical 4 2 1 1 0 8 5 +3 9 p2–2 0–0p
3 Airdrieonians 4 1 1 0 2 7 8 −1 5 2–3 p2–2
4 Queen's Park 4 0 2 1 1 4 5 −1 5 1–2 p1–1
5 Clyde 4 0 0 1 3 6 10 −4 1 1–3 2–3
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.[14]

Group G[]

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification LIV AYR FAL STR BER
1 Livingston 4 3 1 0 0 10 3 +7 11 Qualification for the Second Round 2–1 5–0
2 Ayr United 4 2 0 1 1 12 5 +7 7 2–1 2–2p
3 Falkirk 4 2 0 1 1 6 3 +3 7 1–1p 1–0
4 Stranraer 4 1 1 0 2 9 5 +4 5 1–2 6–0
5 Berwick Rangers 4 0 0 0 4 0 21 −21 0 0–7 0–3
Source: [15]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[16]

Group H[]

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification DNF ALB STM EKB EDI
1 Dunfermline Athletic 4 3 0 0 1 13 3 +10 9 Qualification for the Second Round 6–0 4–0
2 Albion Rovers 4 2 0 1 1 3 7 −4 7 0–0p 2–1
3 St Mirren 4 1 1 1 1 3 3 0 6 2–3 1–0
4 East Kilbride 4 1 1 0 2 1 5 −4 5 0–1 p0–0
5 Edinburgh City 4 1 0 0 3 2 4 −2 3 1–0 0–1
Source: [17]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[18]

Best runners-up[]

Pos Grp Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 B Forfar Athletic 4 3 0 0 1 9 4 +5 9 Qualification for the Second Round
2 F Hamilton Academical 4 2 1 1 0 8 5 +3 9
3 E Greenock Morton 4 2 1 0 1 14 8 +6 8
4 A East Fife 4 2 1 0 1 5 3 +2 8
5 G Ayr United 4 2 0 1 1 12 5 +7 7
6 D Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4 2 0 1 1 7 4 +3 7
7 C Alloa Athletic 4 2 0 1 1 8 8 0 7
8 H Albion Rovers 4 2 0 1 1 3 7 −4 7
Source: [19]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[20]

Knockout phase[]

Second round[]

Draw and seeding[]

The draw for the second round took place on 28 July 2019 at the conclusion of the Dundee-Inverness Caledonian Thistle match.[21] Aberdeen, Celtic, Kilmarnock and Rangers entered the competition at this stage, after receiving a bye for the group stage due to their participation in UEFA club competitions.

The four UEFA-qualifying clubs and the four group winners with the best record were seeded for the draw.

Teams in Bold advanced to the quarter-finals.

Seeded Unseeded
  • Aberdeen
  • Celtic
  • Hibernian
  • Kilmarnock
  • Livingston
  • Motherwell
  • Rangers
  • Ross County
  • Dundee
  • Dunfermline Athletic
  • East Fife*
  • Forfar Athletic*
  • Greenock Morton
  • Hamilton Academical
  • Heart of Midlothian
  • Partick Thistle
Notes
  • † denotes teams playing in the Championship.
  • * denotes teams playing in League One.

Matches[]

16 August 2019 Motherwell1–2 Heart of Midlothian Motherwell
19:45 Long Goal 60' [22]
Stadium: Fir Park
Attendance: 5,597
Referee: Bobby Madden
17 August 2019 Hibernian 5–3 (a.e.t.)Greenock MortonEdinburgh
15:00
[23]
Stadium: Easter Road
Attendance: 6,557
Referee: Alan Muir
17 August 2019 Partick Thistle 3–2 (a.e.t.)Ross CountyGlasgow
15:00
[24]
Stadium: Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,053
Referee: Steven McLean
17 August 2019 Celtic 2–1 (a.e.t.)Dunfermline AthleticGlasgow
15:00
  • Johnston Goal 55'
  • Forrest Goal 114'
[26] Beadling Goal 77' Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 27,318[25]
Referee: John Beaton
17 August 2019 Forfar Athletic1–2 Livingston Forfar
15:00 Hilson Goal 63' [27]
Stadium: Station Park
Attendance: 884
Referee: Gavin Duncan
17 August 2019 Kilmarnock 1–0 (a.e.t.)Hamilton AcademicalKilmarnock
15:00 Thomas Goal 113' [28] Stadium: Rugby Park
Attendance: 3,762
Referee: Kevin Clancy
18 August 2019 Dundee1–2 (a.e.t.) Aberdeen Dundee
15:00 Johnson Goal 43' [29]
Stadium: Dens Park
Attendance: 5,740
Referee: Willie Collum
18 August 2019 East Fife0–3 Rangers Methil
15:00 [30]
  • Defoe Goal 26'
  • Helander Goal 56'
  • Aribo Goal 84'
Stadium: Bayview Stadium
Attendance: 1,991
Referee: Don Robertson

Quarter-finals[]

Draw[]

Teams in Bold advanced to the semi-finals.

Premiership Championship
  • Aberdeen
  • Celtic
  • Heart of Midlothian
  • Hibernian
  • Kilmarnock
  • Livingston
  • Rangers
  • Partick Thistle

Matches[]

25 September 2019 Celtic 5–0Partick ThistleGlasgow
19:45
  • Bayo Goal 15'
  • Rogic Goal 46'
  • Ntcham Goal 56', 63'
  • Sinclair Goal 76'
[31] Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 25,008
Referee: Steven McLean
25 September 2019 Kilmarnock0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)
Hibernian Kilmarnock
19:45 [32][33] Stadium: Rugby Park
Attendance: 4,780
Referee: Willie Collum
Penalties
25 September 2019 Heart of Midlothian 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(3–0 p)
AberdeenEdinburgh
19:45
[34][35] Cosgrove Goal 12' (pen.), 31' (pen.) Stadium: Tynecastle Park
Attendance: 12,866
Referee: Kevin Clancy
Penalties
25 September 2019 Livingston0–1 Rangers Livingston
19:45 [36] Kamara Goal 5' Stadium: Almondvale Stadium
Attendance: 8,160
Referee: Don Robertson

Semi-finals[]

Draw[]

Teams in Bold advanced to the final.

Teams in Italics were not known at the time of the draw.

Teams Involved
  • Celtic
  • Heart of Midlothian
  • Hibernian
  • Rangers

Matches[]

2 November 2019 Hibernian2–5 Celtic Glasgow
17:30
[37]
Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 46,782
Referee: Bobby Madden
3 November 2019 Rangers 3–0Heart of MidlothianGlasgow
15:00
  • Helander Goal 45+1'
  • Morelos Goal 47', 62'
[38] Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 49,310
Referee: John Beaton

Final[]

8 December 2019 Rangers 0–1 Celtic Glasgow
15:00 [39] Jullien Goal 60' Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 51,117
Referee: Willie Collum

Media coverage[]

The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held exclusively by BT Sport.

The following matches were broadcast live on UK television:

Round Date Match
Group Stage 12 July 2019 Heart of Midlothian v Dundee United[40]
14 July 2019 St Mirren v Dunfermline Athletic[40]
19 July 2019 Motherwell v Greenock Morton[40]
21 July 2019 St Johnstone v Ross County[40]
26 July 2019 Elgin City v Hibernian[40]
28 July 2019 Dundee v Inverness Caledonian Thistle[40]
Second Round 16 August 2019 Motherwell v Heart of Midlothian[41]
18 August 2019 East Fife v Rangers[41]
Quarter-finals 25 September 2019 Livingston v Rangers[42]
Semi-finals 2 November 2019 Hibernian v Celtic[43]
3 November 2019 Rangers v Heart of Midlothian[43]
Final 8 December 2019 Rangers v Celtic[44]

References[]

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External links[]

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