Nuova formula per la League Cup che torna all'antico (anni '70) con una siddivisione in gironi (per area di allocazione geografica), con l'inserimento nel primo turno della squadre della Lega professionistica, eccetto per le 4 che partecipano alle coppe europee, che entreranno in gara ngli ottavi di finale. Si qualificano le vincenti di ogni girone e le migliori 4 seconde classificate. La finale è in programma ad Hampden a fine Novembre. Gare di sola andata anche nei gironi. In caso di parità, ogni gara si concluderà ai rigori, con un punto bonus per le vincenti.
Cup holders Ross County will take on Raith Rovers, Alloa Athletic, Montrose and Cove Rangers in Group D. The 38 SPFL teams not involved in Europe were included, as well as Cove Rangers from the Highland League and Lowland League side East Stirlingshire. Teams were drawn into eight groups of five, split into north and south, with the first ties on 16 July. The revamped League Cup competition will result in the group winners and four best runners-up progressing to the second round. European representatives Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibernian will also join at that stage. The final will be played at Hampden Park on 27 November. Each team will play each other once, with games taking place on 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30 July, subject to live TV matches. Any game ending in a draw will go straight to penalties, with the winner of the penalty shoot-out awarded a bonus point.
North section
Group A: Dundee, Dumbarton, Peterhead, Forfar Athletic, East Fife
Group B: St Johnstone, Falkirk, Brechin City, Stirling Albion, Elgin City
Group C: Inverness CT, Dundee United, Dunfermline Athletic, Arbroath, Cowdenbeath
Group D: Ross County (holders) Raith Rovers, Alloa Athletic, Cove Rangers, Montrose
South section
Group E: Partick Thistle, Queen of the South, Stenhousemuir, Queen's Park, Airdrieonians
Group F: Motherwell, Rangers, Stranraer, East Stirlingshire, Annan Athletic
Group G: Hamilton Academical, St Mirren, Edinburgh City, Livingston, Ayr United
Group H: Kilmarnock, Greenock Morton, Berwick Rangers, Albion Rovers, Clyde
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