St Mirren to visit Rangers in Premier Sports Cup last 16
Premier Sports Cup Last 16 Fixtures Announced
The draw for the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup has set up several notable encounters, with current holders St Mirren scheduled to play away against Rangers. This fixture is one of two all-top-flight ties in this round of the competition.
Another significant match will see Scottish champions Celtic, who were finalists in the previous season, travel to face Dundee United. Meanwhile, Aberdeen will host Dundee in another fixture involving top-tier clubs.
The draw also ensures that at least one team from outside the Premiership will advance to the quarter-finals. This is due to Dunfermline Athletic, a second-tier side, being drawn at home against League 1 club Ross County.
Manager Reactions and Group Stage Progress
Craig McLeish, manager of St Mirren, expressed disappointment regarding the draw. He noted that his team had an opportunity to win their group and secure a seeded position, but a defeat meant they missed out on that advantage. Despite the loss, St Mirren still topped their group based on goal difference.
Rangers manager Derek McInnes, on the other hand, conveyed satisfaction with securing a home draw. He acknowledged the challenge of facing a Premiership team, especially one that won the cup last season, but highlighted the benefit of playing at home.
Dunfermline Athletic‘s head coach, Neil Lennon, believed his side earned their victory in the qualifying stages after a strong performance against St Mirren. He anticipates a tough challenge against Ross County, despite County now being in a lower league, emphasizing that nothing will be taken for granted given County‘s strong season following relegation.
Dunfermline secured their spot in the last 16 as one of the three best runners-up, following a late penalty from Chris Kane that sealed a win against St Mirren. This result came at the expense of Championship rivals Queen’s Park.
Teams Advancing to the Last 16
Several teams progressed as group winners in the qualifying rounds. These included Aberdeen, Ayr United, Dundee United, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Kilmarnock, Ross County, and Stenhousemuir. Aberdeen notably won all four of their group stage matches to earn their place.
Dundee and Partick Thistle also advanced as runners-up. Dundee secured their spot after finishing second in Group D, including a 4-0 victory over Clyde.
Additionally, five clubs received byes directly into the last 16 due to their participation in European competitions, representing Scotland. These teams are Celtic, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Motherwell, and Rangers.
Full Last 16 Draw Details
The complete draw for the Premier Sports Cup last 16 features a mix of top-flight clashes and encounters between teams from different divisions. While the two prominent Glasgow clubs, Rangers and Celtic, face Premiership opposition, other teams with byes will meet Championship sides.
The full list of last 16 fixtures is as follows:
- Aberdeen v Dundee
- Dundee United v Celtic
- Dunfermline Athletic v Ross County
- Heart of Midlothian v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
- Hibernian v Partick Thistle
- Kilmarnock v Ayr United
- Rangers v St Mirren
- Stenhousemuir v Motherwell
The second-round ties are scheduled to be played on the weekend of 15-16 August.
Source: bbc.com
Amelia Stockwell is a Sports Reporter at News GB. She covered two Commonwealth Games for a national outlet. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of York and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in York, she runs with a local club and follows county cricket. “The quiet stories often matter most by the end of the season.”
