2020–21_Scottish_League_Cup
2020–21 Scottish League Cup
Football tournament season
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.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Scotland |
| Dates | 6 October 2020 – 28 February 2021 |
| Teams | 44 |
| Defending champions | Celtic |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | St Johnstone |
| Runner-up | Livingston |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 95 |
| Goals scored | 285 (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]
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.
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]
North
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 | — | — | — |
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 | — |
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 | — |
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 | — | — |
South
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 | — | — | — |
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 | — | — | — |
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 | — | — | — |
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 | — |
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 |
Second round
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
- † denotes teams playing in the Championship.
- * denotes team playing in League One.
Matches
| 28 November 2020 | Livingston | 4–0 | Ayr United | Livingston |
| 15:00 | [15] | Stadium: Almondvale Stadium Referee: David Munro |
| 28 November 2020 | Hibernian | 1–0 | Dundee | Edinburgh |
| 15:00 |
|
[16] | Stadium: Easter Road Referee: Willie Collum |
| 28 November 2020 | Arbroath | 1–3 | Dunfermline Athletic | Arbroath |
| 15:00 |
|
[17] | Stadium: Gayfield Park Referee: Nick Walsh |
| 28 November 2020 | Motherwell | 1–2 | St Johnstone | Motherwell |
| 15:00 |
|
[18] |
|
Stadium: Fir Park Referee: Alan Muir |
| 28 November 2020 | Alloa Athletic | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Heart of Midlothian | Alloa |
| 15:00 | [19] | Stadium: Recreation Park Referee: Gavin Duncan |
| 28 November 2020 | St Mirren | 2–1 | Aberdeen | Paisley |
| 17:15 | [20] |
|
Stadium: St Mirren Park Referee: Don Robertson |
| 29 November 2020 | Celtic | 0–2 | Ross County | Glasgow |
| 14:00 | [21] | Stadium: Celtic Park Referee: Kevin Clancy |
| 29 November 2020 | Falkirk | 0–4 | Rangers | Falkirk |
| 17:00 | [22] | Stadium: Falkirk Stadium Referee: Bobby Madden |
Quarter-final
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 Athletic | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p) | St Johnstone | Dunfermline |
| 19:45 |
|
[24] |
|
Stadium: East End Park Referee: Don Robertson |
| Penalties | ||||
| 15 December 2020 | Alloa Athletic | 1–2 | Hibernian | Alloa |
| 20:00 | [25] | Stadium: Recreation Park Referee: David Munro |
| 16 December 2020 | Livingston | 2–0 | Ross County | Livingston |
| 19:45 | [26] | Stadium: Almondvale Stadium Referee: Steven McLean |
Semi-final
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.
Matches
| 23 January 2021 | St Johnstone | 3–0 | Hibernian | Glasgow |
| 17:30 | [29] | Stadium: Hampden Park Referee: Nick Walsh |
| 24 January 2021 | Livingston | 1–0 | St Mirren | Glasgow |
| 16:00 | Robinson  9' |
[30] | Stadium: Hampden Park Referee: David Munro |
- As of 28 February 2021
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Alan Forrest |
Livingston | 7 |
| 2 |  Manny Duku |
Raith Rovers | 5 |
| Stevie May |
St Johnstone | ||
| 4 | Euan Murray |
Dunfermline Athletic | 4 |
| Ross Stewart |
Ross County | ||
 Jamie McGrath |
St Mirren | ||
| 7 | 12 players | 3 | |
Source:[32]
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] |
- "St Johnstone sink Livingston to claim their first Scottish League Cup". Guardian. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
- "Betfred Cup dates confirmed". SPFL. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "New League Cup format and TV deal". SPFL. 7 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "DATE SET FOR BETFRED CUP DRAW". SPFL. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
- "Summary - League Cup Group A". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- "Format". SPFL. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
- "Summary - League Cup Group B". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- "Summary - League Cup Group C". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- "Summary - League Cup Group D". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- "Summary - League Cup Group E". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- "Summary - League Cup Group F". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- "Summary - League Cup Group G". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- "Summary - League Cup Group H". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- "BETFRED CUP R2 DRAW". SPFL. 15 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- "BETFRED CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW". SPFL. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- 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.
- 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.
- McLauchlin, Brian (16 December 2020). "Livingston 2-0 Ross County". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- Watt, Martin (16 December 2020). "St Mirren 3-2 Rangers". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- "BETFRED CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW". SPFL. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- "Summary - League Cup - Scotland". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- "BETFRED CUP GROUP STAGE FIXTURE LIST". SPFL. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
- "BETFRED CUP R2 DETAILS CONFIRMED". SPFL. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- "BETFRED CUP QUARTER-FINAL DETAILS". SPFL. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- "BETFRED CUP SEMI-FINAL DETAILS". SPFL. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
- "BETFRED CUP FINAL DETAILS". SPFL. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.