2021–22 Scottish League Cup group stage
Football tournament season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2021–22 Scottish League Cup group stage was played from 9 July 2021 to 25 July 2021.[1] A total of 40 teams competed in the group stage. The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the three best runners-up progressed to the second round (last 16) of the 2021–22 Scottish League Cup.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Scotland |
| Dates | 9 July 2021 – 25 July 2021 |
| Teams | 40 |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 74 |
| Goals scored | 202 (2.73 per match) |
| Top goal scorer | Ally Roy (6 goals) |
Format
The group stage consists of eight groups of five teams. The five clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League (Rangers and Celtic), Europa League (St Johnstone) and Europa Conference League (Hibernian and Aberdeen) qualifying rounds are given a bye through to the second round. The 40 teams taking part in the group stage consist of the other seven teams that competed in the 2020–21 Scottish Premiership, and all of the teams that competed in the 2020–21 Scottish Championship, 2020–21 Scottish League One and 2020–21 Scottish League Two, as well as the 2020–21 Highland Football League champions and the 2020–21 Lowland Football League champions and runners-up.
The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the three best runners-up, progress to the second round (last 16), which includes the five UEFA qualifying clubs. At this stage, the competition reverts to the traditional knock-out format. The three group winners with the highest points total and the clubs entering at this stage will be seeded, with the five group winners with the lowest points unseeded along with the three best runners-up.
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 will take place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.[2]
The draw for the group stage took place on 28 May 2021 and was broadcast live on FreeSports & the SPFL YouTube channel.
Teams
North
Seeding
Teams in Bold qualified for the second round.
| Top seeds | Second seeds | Unseeded | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
01. Livingston |
05. Dundee |
|
Source:[3]
South
Seeding
Teams in Bold qualified for the second round.
| Top seeds | Second seeds | Unseeded | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
21. St Mirren |
25. Dunfermline Athletic |
|
Source:[3]
North
Group A
| 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 the second 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 | — |
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]
Matches
| Peterhead | 0–2 | Heart of Midlothian |
|---|---|---|
| [7] |
|
| Heart of Midlothian | 3–0 | Cove Rangers |
|---|---|---|
|
[8] |
Group B
| 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 the second 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 | — |
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]
Matches
Group C
| 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 the second 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 | — | — |
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]
Notes:
Matches
| Forfar Athletic | 3–0 (awarded)[A] | Ross County |
|---|---|---|
| Ross County | 0–3 (awarded)[B] | Dundee |
|---|---|---|
- Notes
Group D
| 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 the second 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 | — |
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]
Matches
| Brechin City | 1–0 | Alloa Athletic |
|---|---|---|
Scott  55' |
[45] |
South
Group E
| 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 the second 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 | — | — |
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]
Notes:
Matches
| Edinburgh City | 3–0 (Awarded)[C] | Falkirk |
|---|---|---|
| Ayr United | 3–0 (Awarded)[D] | Falkirk |
|---|---|---|
- Notes
Group F
| 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 the second 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 | — | — |
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]
Matches
| Queen of the South | 0–1 | Queen's Park |
|---|---|---|
| [62] | Biggar 54' |
Group G
| 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 the second 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 | — | — | — |
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]
Notes:
Matches
| Stranraer | 3–0 (awarded)[F] | Greenock Morton |
|---|---|---|
| Clyde | 1–0 | Stranraer |
|---|---|---|
| Goodwillie 24' (pen.) |
[75] |
| Stranraer | 1–0 | East Kilbride |
|---|---|---|
| Yates 26' |
[78] |
| East Kilbride | 2–2 | Clyde |
|---|---|---|
|
[79] |
|
| Penalties | ||
|
3–4 |
|
- Notes
Group H
| 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 the second 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 | — |
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]
Notes:
Matches
| Dumbarton | 0–3 (awarded)[G] | St Mirren |
|---|---|---|
| St Mirren | 2–0 | Partick Thistle |
|---|---|---|
|
[93] |
- Notes
Best runners-up
| 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 the second 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 |
Qualified teams
| Team | Qualified as | Qualified on | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart of Midlothian | Group A winner | 20 July 2021 | |
| Dundee United | Group B winner | 20 July 2021 | Seeded for second round draw |
| Ayr United | Group E winner | 22 July 2021 | |
| Dundee | Group C winner | 24 July 2021 | Seeded for second round draw |
| Raith Rovers | Group D winner | 24 July 2021 | |
| Motherwell | Group F winner | 24 July 2021 | |
| Kilmarnock | Group G winner | 24 July 2021 | |
| Arbroath | Best runner-up | 24 July 2021 | |
| Dunfermline Athletic | Best runner-up | 24 July 2021 | |
| Livingston | Best runner-up | 24 July 2021 | |
| St Mirren | Group H winner | 25 July 2021 | Seeded for second round draw |
Top goalscorers
- As of 25 July 2021
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ally Roy |
Queen of the South | 6 |
| 2 |  Nathan Austin |
Kelty Hearts | 4 |
 Brian Graham |
Partick Thistle | ||
| 4 | Liam Buchanan |
Cowdenbeath | 3 |
| Jason Cummings |
Dundee | ||
| Lawrence Shankland |
Dundee United | ||
| Kevin O'Hara |
Dunfermline Athletic | ||
 Nikolay Todorov |
Dunfermline Athletic | ||
| Craig Wighton |
Dunfermline Athletic | ||
| Liam Boyce |
Heart of Midlothian |
Source:[95]