2020–21 Scottish League Cup

The 2020–21 Scottish League Cup (also known as the Betfred Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 75th season of Scotland's second-most prestigious football knockout competition.

2020–21 Scottish League Cup
CountryScotland
Dates6 October 2020 – 28 February 2021
Teams44
Defending championsCeltic
ChampionsSt Johnstone
Runners-upLivingston
Matches played95
Goals scored285 (3 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Alan Forrest
(7 goals)

The format for the 2020–21 competition was the same as the previous four seasons.

It began with eight groups of five teams including all 2019–20 Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) clubs, excluding those competing in Champions League and Europa League qualifiers, as well as the winners of the 2019–20 Highland Football League (Brora Rangers) and the 2019–20 Lowland Football League (Kelty Hearts).

The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition were held exclusively by Premier Sports.

St Johnstone were the winners of the Scottish League Cup, beating Livingston 1–0 in the final. It was the second major trophy in their history, after the 2014 Scottish Cup. They became the first team in nearly five years to win a Scottish domestic trophy other than Celtic.[1]

Schedule
Round First match date Fixtures Clubs
Group stage6 October 2020[2]8044 → 16
Second round28 November 2020[2]816 → 80
Quarter finals15 December 2020[2]48 → 4
Semi finals23 January 2021[2]24 → 2
Final28 February 2021[2]12 → 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, Motherwell, 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 2019–20 Scottish Premiership, and all of the teams that competed in the 2019–20 Scottish Championship, 2019–20 Scottish League One and 2019–20 Scottish League Two. The 2019–20 Highland Football League and the 2019–20 Lowland Football League champions also competed.

The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the four best runners-up progressed to the second round (last 16), which included 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 were 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.[3] 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
Main article: 2020–21 Scottish League Cup group stage

The group stage was made up of eight teams from the 2019–20 Scottish Premiership, and all ten teams from each of the 2019–20 Scottish Championship, 2019–20 Scottish League One and 2019–20 Scottish League Two, as well as the winners of the 2019–20 Highland Football League and 2019–20 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 10 August 2020 and was broadcast live FreeSports & the SPFL YouTube channel.[4]

Group A
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification HOM RAI ICT EFI COW
1 Heart of Midlothian 4 4 0 0 0 8 3 +5 12 Qualification for the Second round — 3–1 1–0 — —
2 Raith Rovers 4 2 1 0 1 7 7 0 8 — — p3–3 2–1 —
3 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4 1 1 1 1 4 4 0 6 — — — 1–0 p0–0
4 East Fife 4 1 0 0 3 5 6 −1 3 2–3 — — — 2–0
5 Cowdenbeath 4 0 0 1 3 0 4 −4 1 0–1 0–1 — — —
Source: [5]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[6]

Group B
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification HIB DUN COV BRO FOR
1 Hibernian 4 4 0 0 0 10 3 +7 12 Qualification for the Second round — 4–1 — 3–1 —
2 Dundee 4 3 0 0 1 9 4 +5 9 — — 3–0 — 3–0
3 Cove Rangers 4 1 1 0 2 4 7 −3 5 1–2 — — — 1–0
4 Brora Rangers 4 0 0 2 2 6 10 −4 2 — 0–2 2–2p — —
5 Forfar Athletic 4 0 1 0 3 3 8 −5 2 0–1 — — p3–3 —
Source: [7]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[6]

Group C
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification STJ DUN PET KEL BRE
1 St Johnstone 4 3 0 1 0 12 2 +10 10 Qualification for the Second round — 0–0p — — 7–0
2 Dundee United 4 2 1 0 1 7 3 +4 8 — — 0–1 1–0 —
3 Peterhead 4 2 1 0 1 6 5 +1 8 1–3 — — — 3–1
4 Kelty Hearts 4 1 0 1 2 4 4 0 4 1–2 — 1–1p — —
5 Brechin City 4 0 0 0 4 3 18 −15 0 — 2–6 — 0–2 —
Source: [8]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[6]

Group D
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ROS ARB ELG STI MON
1 Ross County 4 3 1 0 0 12 5 +7 11 Qualification for the Second round — 2–1 — 3–0 —
2 Arbroath 4 3 0 0 1 9 4 +5 9 — — 3–0 — 3–1
3 Elgin City 4 2 0 0 2 5 7 −2 6 1–4 — — 2–0 —
4 Stirling Albion 4 1 0 0 3 3 8 −5 3 — 1–2 — — 2–1
5 Montrose 4 0 0 1 3 5 10 −5 1 3–3p — 0–2 — —
Source: [9]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[6]

Group E
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification DNF FAL KIL CLY DUM
1 Dunfermline Athletic 4 4 0 0 0 9 2 +7 12 Qualification for the Second round — 2–0 — 3–2 —
2 Falkirk 4 3 0 0 1 9 3 +6 9 — — 3–0 2–1 —
3 Kilmarnock 4 2 0 0 2 4 6 −2 6 0–3 — — — 2–0
4 Clyde 4 1 0 0 3 6 9 −3 3 — — 0–2 — 3–2
5 Dumbarton 4 0 0 0 4 2 10 −8 0 0–1 0–4 — — —
Source: [10]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[6]

Group F
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification AYR ANN STR HAM ALB
1 Ayr United 4 2 1 0 1 8 5 +3 8 Qualification for the Second round — 1–0 p1–1 — —
2 Annan Athletic 4 2 0 1 1 9 4 +5 7 — — 1–1p 3–1 —
3 Stranraer 4 1 1 2 0 6 5 +1 7 — — — 2–1 2–2p
4 Hamilton Academical 4 2 0 0 2 7 6 +1 6 2–1 — — — 3–0
5 Albion Rovers 4 0 1 0 3 5 15 −10 2 2–5 1–5 — — —
Source: [11]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[6]

Group G
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification STM QOS PAR GMO QPK
1 St Mirren 4 2 2 0 0 8 4 +4 10 Qualification for the Second round — — 4–1 p1–1 —
2 Queen of the South 4 1 1 2 0 7 5 +2 7 2–2p — 0–0p — —
3 Partick Thistle 4 1 2 0 1 3 4 −1 7 — — — p0–0 2–0
4 Greenock Morton 4 1 0 3 0 4 3 +1 6 — 2–2p — — 1–0
5 Queen's Park 4 0 0 0 4 1 7 −6 0 0–1 1–3 — — —
Source: [12]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[6]

Group H
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification LIV ALO EDI AIR STE
1 Livingston 4 4 0 0 0 15 3 +12 12 Qualification for the Second round — 2–1 — 4–1 —
2 Alloa Athletic 4 3 0 0 1 9 5 +4 9 — — 2–1 — 4–2
3 Edinburgh City 4 1 0 1 2 5 9 −4 4 1–5 — — — 2–2p
4 Airdrieonians 4 1 0 0 3 3 7 −4 3 — 0–2 0–1 — —
5 Stenhousemuir 4 0 1 0 3 4 12 −8 2 0–4 — — 0–2 —
Source: [13]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[6]

Best runners-up
Pos Grp Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 E Falkirk 4 3 0 0 1 9 3 +6 9 Qualification for the Second round
2 D Arbroath 4 3 0 0 1 9 4 +5 9
3 B Dundee 4 3 0 0 1 9 4 +5 9
4 H Alloa Athletic 4 3 0 0 1 9 5 +4 9
5 C Dundee United 4 2 1 0 1 7 3 +4 8
6 A Raith Rovers 4 2 1 0 1 7 7 0 8
7 F Annan Athletic 4 2 0 1 1 9 4 +5 7
8 G Queen of the South 4 1 1 2 0 7 5 +2 7
Source: [5][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[6]

Knockout phase

Draw and seeding

Aberdeen, Celtic, Motherwell 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.

The draw for the second round took place on 15 November 2020 following the Hibernian v Dundee match live on Premier Sports 1.[14]

Teams in Bold advanced to the quarter-finals.

Seeded Unseeded
Notes

Matches
28 November 2020 Livingston 4–0Ayr UnitedLivingston
15:00
[15] Stadium: Almondvale Stadium
Referee: David Munro
28 November 2020 Hibernian 1–0DundeeEdinburgh
15:00
[16] Stadium: Easter Road
Referee: Willie Collum
28 November 2020 Arbroath1–3 Dunfermline Athletic Arbroath
15:00
[17]
Stadium: Gayfield Park
Referee: Nick Walsh
28 November 2020 Motherwell1–2 St Johnstone Motherwell
15:00
[18]
Stadium: Fir Park
Referee: Alan Muir
28 November 2020 Alloa Athletic 1–0 (a.e.t.)Heart of MidlothianAlloa
15:00
[19] Stadium: Recreation Park
Referee: Gavin Duncan
28 November 2020 St Mirren 2–1AberdeenPaisley
17:15
[20]
Stadium: St Mirren Park
Referee: Don Robertson
29 November 2020 Celtic0–2 Ross County Glasgow
14:00 [21]
Stadium: Celtic Park
Referee: Kevin Clancy
29 November 2020 Falkirk0–4 Rangers Falkirk
17:00 [22]
Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Referee: Bobby Madden

Draw

The quarter-final draw took place on 29 November 2020 following the Falkirk v Rangers match live on Premier Sports 1.[23]

Teams in Bold advanced to the semi-finals.

Premiership Championship

Matches
15 December 2020 Dunfermline Athletic1–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–4 p)		 St Johnstone Dunfermline
19:45
[24]
Stadium: East End Park
Referee: Don Robertson
Penalties
15 December 2020 Alloa Athletic1–2 Hibernian Alloa
20:00
[25]
Stadium: Recreation Park
Referee: David Munro
16 December 2020 Livingston 2–0Ross CountyLivingston
19:45
[26] Stadium: Almondvale Stadium
Referee: Steven McLean
16 December 2020 St Mirren 3–2RangersPaisley
20:00
[27]
Stadium: St Mirren Park
Referee: David Dickinson

Draw

The draw for the semi-finals took place on 16 December 2020 following the St Mirren v Rangers match live on Premier Sports 1.[28]

Teams in Bold advanced to the final.

Premiership

Matches
23 January 2021 St Johnstone 3–0HibernianGlasgow
17:30
[29] Stadium: Hampden Park
Referee: Nick Walsh
24 January 2021 Livingston 1–0St MirrenGlasgow
16:00 Robinson 9' [30] Stadium: Hampden Park
Referee: David Munro

Final
Main article: 2021 Scottish League Cup Final (February)
St Johnstone1–0Livingston
Rooney 32' [31]
Referee: Don Robertson

Top goalscorers
As of 28 February 2021
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Scotland Alan Forrest Livingston 7
2 Netherlands Manny Duku Raith Rovers 5
Scotland Stevie May St Johnstone
4 Scotland Euan Murray Dunfermline Athletic 4
Scotland Ross Stewart Ross County
Republic of Ireland Jamie McGrath St Mirren
7 12 players 3

Source:[32]

Media coverage

The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held exclusively by Premier Sports who will broadcast between 12 and 16 Betfred Cup live matches per season as well as highlights.

The following matches were broadcast live on UK television:

Round Date Match
Group Stage 6 October 2020 Heart of Midlothian v Inverness Caledonian Thistle[33]
9 October 2020 Dunfermline Athletic v Falkirk[33]
10 October 2020 Cove Rangers v Hibernian[33]
13 October 2020 Heart of Midlothian v Raith Rovers[33]
10 November 2020 St Johnstone v Dundee United[33]
11 November 2020 St Mirren v Greenock Morton[33]
15 November 2020 Hibernian v Dundee[33]
Second Round 28 November 2020 St Mirren v Aberdeen[34]
29 November 2020 Celtic v Ross County
Falkirk v Rangers[34]
Quarter-finals 15 December 2020 Alloa Athletic v Hibernian[35]
16 December 2020 St Mirren v Rangers[35]
Semi-finals 23 January 2021 St Johnstone v Hibernian[36]
24 January 2021 Livingston v St Mirren[36]
Final 28 February 2021 St Johnstone v Livingston[37]

References
  1. "St Johnstone sink Livingston to claim their first Scottish League Cup". Guardian. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  2. "Betfred Cup dates confirmed". SPFL. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  3. "New League Cup format and TV deal". SPFL. 7 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  4. "DATE SET FOR BETFRED CUP DRAW". SPFL. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  5. "Summary - League Cup Group A". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  6. "Format". SPFL. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  7. "Summary - League Cup Group B". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  8. "Summary - League Cup Group C". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  9. "Summary - League Cup Group D". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  10. "Summary - League Cup Group E". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  11. "Summary - League Cup Group F". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  12. "Summary - League Cup Group G". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  13. "Summary - League Cup Group H". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  14. "BETFRED CUP R2 DRAW". SPFL. 15 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  15. Barnes, John (28 November 2020). "Livingston thrash Ayr United 4-0 in first game since Gary Holt exit". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  16. McLaughlin, Brian (28 November 2020). "Hibernian 1-0 Dundee: Jamie Murphy strike puts side in League Cup last 8". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  17. Smith, Tyrone (28 November 2020). "Arbroath 1-3 Dunfermline: Fifers qualify for League Cup quarter-finals". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  18. Mullen, Scott (28 November 2020). "Motherwell 1-2 St Johnstone: Perth side come from behind to reach last 8". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  19. Dewer, Heather (28 November 2020). "Alloa Athletic 1-0 Hearts AET: Championship strugglers claim shock win". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  20. Campbell, Andy (28 November 2020). "Joe Lewis error gives St Mirren 2-1 win cup win over Aberdeen". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  21. Moffat, Colin (29 November 2020). "Celtic 0-2 Ross County:Dingwall side inflict shock Scottish League Cup on Lennon's men". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  22. Elgott, Jordan (29 November 2020). "Falkirk 0-4 Rangers: Steven Gerrard's side into Scottish League Cup last eight". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  23. "BETFRED CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW". SPFL. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  24. McLauchlin, Brian (15 December 2020). "Dunfermline Athletic 1-1 St Johnstone (AET - 3-4 on penalties)". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  25. Watt, Martin (15 December 2020). "Alloa Athletic 1-2 Hibernian: Jack Ross' side hit back to reach League Cup semifinals". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  26. McLauchlin, Brian (16 December 2020). "Livingston 2-0 Ross County". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  27. Watt, Martin (16 December 2020). "St Mirren 3-2 Rangers". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  28. "BETFRED CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW". SPFL. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  29. Duncan, Thomas (23 January 2021). "St Johnstone 3-0 Hibernian: Perth side stun favourites to reach Scottish League Cup final". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  30. Watt, Martin (24 January 2021). "Livingston 1-0 St Mirren: David Martindale's side edge through to final". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  31. Lindsay, Clive (28 February 2021). "Livingston 0-1 St Johnstone: St Johnstone edge Livingston to lift cup". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  32. "Summary - League Cup - Scotland". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  33. "BETFRED CUP GROUP STAGE FIXTURE LIST". SPFL. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  34. "BETFRED CUP R2 DETAILS CONFIRMED". SPFL. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  35. "BETFRED CUP QUARTER-FINAL DETAILS". SPFL. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  36. "BETFRED CUP SEMI-FINAL DETAILS". SPFL. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  37. "BETFRED CUP FINAL DETAILS". SPFL. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
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