2022–23 Scottish League Cup

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2022–23 Scottish League Cup
Premier Sports Cup logo
Tournament details
CountryScotland
Dates9 July 2022 – 26 February 2023
Teams45
Defending championsCeltic
Final positions
ChampionsCeltic (21st title)
Runner-upRangers
Tournament statistics
Matches played95
Goals scored296 (3.12 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)5 players
(4 goals)

The 2022–23 Scottish League Cup, also known as the Premier Sports Cup (until the semi-finals)/ Viaplay Cup (final) for sponsorship reasons, was the 77th season of Scotland's second-most prestigious football knockout competition. Celtic were the defending champions. They retained the title to win the competition for a 21st time.[1]

Schedule[edit]

Round First match date Fixtures Clubs
Group stage 9 July 2022[2] 80 45 → 16
Second round 30 August 2022[2] 8 16 → 80
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

Format[edit]

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 the UEFA Champions League (Celtic and Rangers), Europa League (Heart of Midlothian) and Europa Conference League (Dundee United and Motherwell) qualifying rounds received a bye to the second round. The group stage consisted of 40 teams: all remaining teams that competed across the SPFL in 2021–22, and the 2021–22 Highland Football League champions (Fraserburgh) and runners-up (Buckie Thistle), and the 2021–22 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 traditional knock-out format. The three group winners with the highest points total and the European entrants were seeded.

Bonus point system[edit]

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

Group stage[edit]

Main article: 2022–23 Scottish League Cup group stage

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 on FreeSports & the SPFL YouTube channel.[2]

Group A[edit]

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 the second 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 —
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[edit]

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 the second 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 —
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[edit]

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 the second 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 — —
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[edit]

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 the second 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 —
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]
Notes:
  1. ^ Greenock Morton were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Hibernian, who fielded an ineligible player. The match had originally finished 1–1, with Greenock Morton securing the bonus point following a 3–1 win on penalties.[8]

Group E[edit]

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 the second 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 — —
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 F[edit]

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 the second 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 — —
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]
Notes:
  1. ^ Ayr United were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Elgin City, who fielded an ineligible player. The match had originally finished 0–0, with Ayr United securing the bonus point following a 4–3 win on penalties.[11]

Group G[edit]

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 the second 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 —
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]

Group H[edit]

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 the second 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 — —
Source: [14]
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:
  1. ^ Forfar Athletic were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Stranraer, who fielded an ineligible player. The match had originally finished 2–2, with Forfar Athletic securing the bonus point following a 5–3 win on penalties.[8]

Best runners-up[edit]

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 the second 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
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.[5]

Knockout phase[edit]

Second round[edit]

Draw and seeding[edit]

Celtic, Dundee United, Heart of Midlothian, Motherwell and Rangers entered the competition at this stage, due to their participation in UEFA club competitions.[2]

The draw took place on 24 July 2022, following the Aberdeen v Raith Rovers match.[16]

Teams in bold advanced to the quarter-finals.

Seeded Unseeded
Notes

Matches[edit]

30 August 2022 Annan Athletic1–4 (a.e.t.) Aberdeen Annan
19:45
  • Swinglehurst 81'
 [17]
Stadium: Galabank
Attendance: 1,538
Referee: Steven McLean
30 August 2022 Dundee 3–0FalkirkDundee
19:45
[18] Stadium: Dens Park
Attendance: 3,195
Referee: Colin Steven
30 August 2022 Partick Thistle 1–0ArbroathGlasgow
19:45
[19] Stadium: Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 1,960
Referee: John Beaton
30 August 2022 Rangers 3–1Queen of the SouthGlasgow
19:45
[20]
Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 30,569
Referee: David Dickinson
31 August 2022 Heart of Midlothian0–1 Kilmarnock Edinburgh
19:45 [21]
Stadium: Tynecastle Park
Attendance: 11,071
Referee: Don Robertson
31 August 2022 Livingston1–2 Dundee United Livingston
19:45
[22]
Stadium: Almondvale Stadium
Attendance: 1,497
Referee: David Munro
31 August 2022 Motherwell 4–0Inverness Caledonian ThistleMotherwell
19:45
[23] Stadium: Fir Park
Attendance: 3,982
Referee: Kevin Clancy
31 August 2022 Ross County1–4 Celtic Dingwall
19:45
[24]
Stadium: Victoria Park
Attendance: 4,801
Referee: Willie Collum

Quarter-finals[edit]

The draw took place on 31 August 2022, following the Ross County v Celtic match.[25]

Matches[edit]

18 October 2022 Kilmarnock 2–1Dundee UnitedKilmarnock
19:45
[26]
Stadium: Rugby Park
Attendance: 5,144
Referee: Kevin Clancy
19 October 2022 Motherwell0–4 Celtic Motherwell
18:15 [27]
Stadium: Fir Park
Attendance: 8,370
Referee: Don Robertson
19 October 2022 Aberdeen 4–1Partick ThistleAberdeen
19:45
[28]
Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
Attendance: 9,323
Referee: David Munro
19 October 2022 Rangers 1–0DundeeGlasgow
20:15
[29] Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 37,107
Referee: Willie Collum

Semi-finals[edit]

The draw took place on 19 October 2022, following the Rangers v Dundee match.[30] VAR was used for the first time in the tournament when it was introduced at the semi-final stage.[31]

Matches[edit]

14 January 2023 Celtic 2–0KilmarnockGlasgow
17:30
[32] Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 45,787
Referee: Willie Collum
15 January 2023 Rangers 2–1 (a.e.t.)AberdeenGlasgow
15:00
[33]
Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 47,562
Referee: Nick Walsh

Final[edit]

Main article: 2023 Scottish League Cup final (February)
Rangers1–2Celtic
 Report
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Attendance: 49,529
Referee: Nick Walsh

Media coverage[edit]

The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held exclusively by Premier 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 v Aberdeen[35]
12 July 2022 Falkirk v Hibernian[35]
13 July 2022 Kilmarnock v Partick Thistle[35]
17 July 2022 Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic v Hibernian[35]
19 July 2022 Airdrieonians v St Mirren[35]
24 July 2022 Aberdeen v Raith Rovers[35]
Second round 30 August 2022 Rangers v Queen of the South[36]
31 August 2022 Ross County v Celtic[36]
Quarter-finals 18 October 2022 Kilmarnock v Dundee United[37]
19 October 2022 Motherwell v Celtic[37]
Rangers v Dundee[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]

Top goalscorers[edit]

Rank[40] Player Club Goals
1 Netherlands Vicente Besuijen Aberdeen 4
Republic of Ireland Conor Sammon Alloa Athletic
Scotland Alex Jakubiak Dundee
Scotland Oli Shaw Kilmarnock
Kenya Jonah Ayunga St Mirren
6 21 players 3

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Rangers 1 Celtic 2". BBC Sport. 26 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Premier Sports Cup 2022/23". SPFL. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  3. ^ "New League Cup format and TV deal". SPFL. 7 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group A". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group B". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group C". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Disciplinary hearing decisions". SPFL. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group D". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group E". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  11. ^ "SPFL Statement 14/07/22". SPFL. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group F". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group G". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group H". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Summary - League Cup". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  16. ^ "Premier Sports Cup R2 draw on Sunday". SPFL. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  17. ^ "Annan Athletic vs. Aberdeen - 30 August 2022". Soccerway. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  18. ^ "Dundee vs. Falkirk - 30 August 2022". Soccerway. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  19. ^ "Partick Thistle vs. Arbroath - 30 August 2022". Soccerway. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  20. ^ "Rangers vs. Queen of the South - 30 August 2022". Soccerway. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  21. ^ "Hearts vs. Kilmarnock - 31 August 2022". Soccerway. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  22. ^ "Livingston vs. Dundee United - 31 August 2022". Soccerway. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  23. ^ "Motherwell vs. Inverness CT - 31 August 2022". Soccerway. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  24. ^ "Ross County vs. Celtic - 31 August 2022". Soccerway. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  25. ^ "Premier Sports Cup R2 this midweek". SPFL. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  26. ^ "Kilmarnock vs. Dundee United - 18 October 2022". Soccerway. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  27. ^ "Motherwell vs. Celtic - 19 October 2022". Soccerway. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  28. ^ "Aberdeen vs. Partick Thistle - 19 October 2022". Soccerway. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  29. ^ "Rangers vs. Dundee - 19 October 2022". Soccerway. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  30. ^ "Semi-final draw date confirmed". SPFL. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  31. ^ "VAR to be introduced this month". SPFL. 12 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  32. ^ "Celtic vs. Kilmarnock - 14 January 2023". Soccerway. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  33. ^ "Rangers vs. Aberdeen - 15 January 2023". Soccerway. 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  34. ^ "Premier Sports to sponsor League Cup". SPFL. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  35. ^ a b c d e f "Premier Sports Cup fixtures". SPFL. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  36. ^ a b "Premier Sports Cup R2 fixture details". SPFL. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  37. ^ a b c "Premier Sports Cup quarter-final ties". SPFL. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  38. ^ a b "PREMIER SPORTS CUP SEMI-FINAL DETAILS". SPFL. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  39. ^ "VIAPLAY CUP FINAL 2022/23". SPFL. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  40. ^ "Scottish League Cup Top Scorers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
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