2023–24 Scottish League Cup#Group stage

{{infobox football tournament season

|title = Scottish League Cup

|year = 2023–24

|country = Scotland

|image =

|image_size =

|caption =

|dates = 15 July – 17 December 2023

|num_teams = 45

|defending_champions= Celtic

|winners = Rangers|count=28

|second = Aberdeen

|matches = 95

|goals = 287

|attendance = 359464

|scoring_leader = Simon Murray
(7 goals)

|prev_season = 2022–23

|next_season = 2024–25

|updated =

}}

The 2023–24 Scottish League Cup, also known as the Viaplay Cup for sponsorship reasons, was the 78th season of Scotland's second-most prestigious football knockout competition.

Celtic were the two-time defending champions, but were eliminated in the second round by Kilmarnock.

Rangers won their record-extending 28th Scottish League Cup beating Aberdeen 1–0 in the final.

Schedule

Round ! First match date ! Fixtures ! width=100\| Clubs
class="wikitable"
align=center \|align=left \|Group stage	align=left \|15 July 2023{{cite web \|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/date-set-for-viaplay-cup-draw \|title=Date set for Viaplay Cup draw\|publisher=SPFL \|date=16 May 2023 \|access-date=7 June 2023}}	80	45 → 16
align=center \|align=left \|Second round	align=left \|19 August 2023	8	16 → 8{{0}}
align=center \|align=left \|Quarter finals	align=left \|26 September 2023	4	8 → 4
align=center \|align=left \|Semi finals	align=left \|4 November 2023	2	4 → 2
align=center \|align=left \|Final	align=left \|17 December 2023	1	2 → 1

Format

The competition began with eight groups of five teams.{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/202324-viaplay-cup-draw-seedings |title=2023/24 Viaplay Cup draw seedings |publisher=SPFL |date=7 June 2023 |access-date=7 June 2023}} The five clubs initially competing in the UEFA Champions League (Celtic and Rangers), Europa League (Aberdeen) and Europa Conference League (Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian) received a bye to the second round. The group stage consisted of 40 teams: all remaining teams that competed across the SPFL in 2022–23, the 2022–23 Highland Football League champions (Brechin City) and 2022–23 Lowland Football League champions (The Spartans). Unlike previous seasons where the remaining group stage spot was given to the runners-up of the Highland League or Lowland League, Cowdenbeath – who finished 15th in the Lowland League, having been relegated from Scottish League Two in 2022 – accepted an invitation to participate.

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=

The traditional point system of awarding three points for a win and one point for a draw was used. In addition, for each group stage match that finished in a draw, a penalty shoot-out took place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.{{cite web |url=http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/new-league-cup-format-announced/ |title=New League Cup format and TV deal |publisher=SPFL |date=7 December 2015 |accessdate=7 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322072242/http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/new-league-cup-format-announced/ |archive-date=22 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}

Group stage

The teams were seeded according to their final league positions in 2022–23 and drawn into eight groups, with each group comprising one team from each pot. The draw for the group stage took place on 8 June 2023 and was broadcast live on Viaplay & the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOgwF15_Svw SPFL YouTube channel].

= Group A =

= Group B =

= Group C =

= Group D =

= Group E =

= Group F =

= Group G =

= Group H =

=Best runners-up=

Knockout phase

=Second round=

==Draw and seeding==

Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian entered the competition at this stage, due to their participation in UEFA club competitions. They joined the three group winners with the best records as the eight seeded sides. The other five group winners and the three best runners up were the unseeded sides.

Teams in bold advanced to the quarter-finals.

class="wikitable"

!Seeded

!Unseeded

valign=top|

|valign=top|

==Matches==

{{Football box collapsible

|date =18 August 2023

|time =19:45

|team1 =Stirling Albion

|score =1–2

|team2 =Aberdeen

|report ={{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/18/scotland/league-cup/stirling-albion-fc/aberdeen-fc/4194646/ |title=Stirling Albion vs. Aberdeen - 18 August 2023 |publisher=Soccerway |date=18 August 2023 |accessdate=18 August 2023}}

|goals1 =

Spence {{goal|75}}

|goals2 =

Miovski {{goal|29}}
Clarkson {{goal|63}}

|stadium =Forthbank Stadium

|location =Stirling

|attendance=2,943

|referee =David Munro

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date =19 August 2023

|time =12:30

|team1 =Rangers

|score =2–1

|team2 =Greenock Morton

|report ={{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/19/scotland/league-cup/rangers-fc/greenock-morton-fc/4194649/ |title=Rangers vs. Greenock Morton - 19 August 2023 |publisher=Soccerway |date=19 August 2023 |accessdate=19 August 2023}}

|goals1 =

Dessers {{goal|60|pen.}}
Danilo {{goal|68}}

|goals2 =Gillespie {{goal|53|pen.}}

|stadium =Ibrox Stadium

|location =Glasgow

|attendance=38,943

|referee =David Dickinson

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date =19 August 2023

|time =15:00

|team1 =Airdrieonians

|score =3–4

|aet =yes

|team2 =Ross County

|report ={{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/19/scotland/league-cup/airdrie-united-fc/ross-county-fc/4194647/ |title=Airdrieonians vs. Ross County - 19 August 2023 |publisher=Soccerway |date=19 August 2023 |accessdate=19 August 2023}}

|goals1 =

Gallagher {{goal|36||82|pen.}}
O'Connor {{goal|89}}

|goals2 =

Turner {{goal|6}}
White {{goal|7}}
Murray {{goal|38}}
Brophy {{goal|101}}

|stadium =Excelsior Stadium

|location =Airdrie

|attendance=1,631

|referee =Steven McLean

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date =19 August 2023

|time =15:00

|team1 =Livingston

|score =2–0

|team2 =Ayr United

|report ={{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/19/scotland/league-cup/livingston-fc/ayr-united-fc/4194652/ |title=Livingston vs. Ayr United - 19 August 2023 |publisher=Soccerway |date=19 August 2023 |accessdate=19 August 2023}}

|goals1 =

Nouble {{goal|12}}
Montaño {{goal|64}}

|goals2 =

|stadium =Almondvale Stadium

|location =Livingston

|attendance=1,304

|referee =Kevin Clancy

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date =19 August 2023

|time =15:00

|team1 =St Mirren

|score =1–0

|team2 =Motherwell

|report ={{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/19/scotland/league-cup/saint-mirren-fc/motherwell-fc/4194648/ |title=St Mirren vs. Motherwell - 19 August 2023 |publisher=Soccerway |date=19 August 2023 |accessdate=19 August 2023}}

|goals1 =

Boyd-Munce {{goal|9}}

|goals2 =

|stadium =St Mirren Park

|location =Paisley

|attendance=5,241

|referee =Willie Collum

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date =20 August 2023

|time =14:00

|team1 =Hibernian

|score =2–1

|team2 =Raith Rovers

|report ={{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/20/scotland/league-cup/hibernian-football-club/raith-rovers-fc/4194645/ |title=Hibernian vs. Raith Rovers - 20 August 2023 |publisher=Soccerway |date=20 August 2023 |accessdate=20 August 2023}}

|goals1 =

Youan {{goal|56}}
Vente {{goal|69}}

|goals2 =

Smith {{goal|67}}

|stadium =Easter Road

|location =Edinburgh

|attendance=8,674

|referee =Nick Walsh

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date =20 August 2023

|time =14:00

|team1 =Heart of Midlothian

|score =4–0

|team2 =Partick Thistle

|report ={{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/20/scotland/league-cup/heart-of-midlothian-fc/partick-thistle-fc/4194651/ |title=Heart of Midlothian vs. Partick Thistle - 20 August 2023 |publisher=Soccerway |date=20 August 2023 |accessdate=20 August 2023}}

|goals1 =

Graham {{goal|10|o.g.}}
Offiah {{goal|45}}
Shankland {{goal|50}}
Tagawa {{goal|75}}

|goals2 =

|stadium =Tynecastle Park

|location =Edinburgh

|attendance=12,841

|referee =John Beaton

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date =20 August 2023

|time =15:00

|team1 =Kilmarnock

|score =1–0

|team2 =Celtic

|report ={{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/20/scotland/league-cup/kilmarnock-fc/celtic-fc/4194650/ |title=Kilmarnock vs. Celtic - 20 August 2023 |publisher=Soccerway |date=20 August 2023 |accessdate=20 August 2023}}

|goals1 =

Watkins {{goal|59}}

|goals2 =

|stadium =Rugby Park

|location =Kilmarnock

|attendance=8,002

|referee =Alan Muir

}}

=Quarter-finals=

File:Ibrox Stadium (2023-09-27) 12.jpg

The draw took place on Sunday 20 August 2023 following the Kilmarnock v Celtic match live on Viaplay Sports 1.{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/viaplay-cup-quarter-final-draw |title=Viaplay Cup draw on Sunday |publisher=SPFL |date=20 August 2023 |access-date=20 August 2023}}

Teams in bold advanced to the semi-finals.

class="wikitable"

!Premiership

valign=top|

{{Football box collapsible

|date =26 September 2023

|time =19:45

|team1 =Kilmarnock

|score =1–2

|team2 =Heart of Midlothian

|report ={{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/26/scotland/league-cup/kilmarnock-fc/heart-of-midlothian-fc/4227937/ |title=Kilmarnock vs. Hearts - 26 September 2023 |publisher=Soccerway |date=26 September 2023 |accessdate=26 September 2023}}

|goals1 =

Lyons {{goal|68}}

|goals2 =

Grant {{goal|40}}
Lowry {{goal|90}}

|stadium =Rugby Park

|location =Kilmarnock

|attendance=6,014

|referee =Steven McLean

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date =27 September 2023

|time =19:45

|team1 =Hibernian

|score =4–2

|team2 =St Mirren

|report ={{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/27/scotland/league-cup/hibernian-football-club/saint-mirren-fc/4227940/ |title=Hibernian vs. St. Mirren - 27 September 2023 |publisher=Soccerway |date=27 September 2023 |accessdate=27 September 2023}}

|goals1 =

Youan {{goal|52}}
Vente {{goal|54}}
Boyle {{goal|80||90}}

|goals2 =

Tanser {{goal|43}}
Baccus {{goal|76}}

|stadium =Easter Road

|location =Edinburgh

|attendance=9,982

|referee =David Munro

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date =27 September 2023

|time =19:45

|team1 =Ross County

|score =1–2

|team2 =Aberdeen

|report ={{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/27/scotland/league-cup/ross-county-fc/aberdeen-fc/4227939/ |title=Ross County vs. Aberdeen - 27 September 2023 |publisher=Soccerway |date=27 September 2023 |accessdate=27 September 2023}}

|goals1 =

Turner {{goal|83|pen.}}

|goals2 =

Shinnie {{goal|8}}
Sokler {{goal|80}}

|stadium =Victoria Park

|location =Dingwall

|attendance=4,637

|referee =John Beaton

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date =27 September 2023

|time =20:00

|team1 =Rangers

|score =4–0

|team2 =Livingston

|report ={{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/27/scotland/league-cup/rangers-fc/livingston-fc/4227938/ |title=Rangers vs. Livingston - 27 September 2023 |publisher=Soccerway |date=27 September 2023 |accessdate=27 September 2023}}

|goals1 =

Sima {{goal|10|}}
Yılmaz {{goal|66}}
de Lucas {{goal|84|o.g.}}
Jack {{goal|90}}

|goals2 =

|stadium =Ibrox Stadium

|location =Glasgow

|attendance=35,420

|referee =Willie Collum

}}

=Semi-finals=

The draw took place on Wednesday 27 September 2023 following the Rangers v Livingston match live on Viaplay Sports 1.{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/viaplay-cup-semi-final-draw |title=Viaplay Cup semi-final draw |publisher=SPFL |date=27 September 2023 |access-date=27 September 2023}}

Teams in bold advanced to the final.

class="wikitable"

!Premiership

valign=top|

{{Football box collapsible

|date =4 November 2023

|time =17:15

|team1 =Hibernian

|score =0–1

|team2 =Aberdeen

|report ={{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/11/04/scotland/league-cup/hibernian-football-club/aberdeen-fc/4255546/ |title=Hibernian vs. Aberdeen - 4 November 2023 |publisher=Soccerway |date=4 November 2023 |access-date=4 November 2023}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

Miovski {{goal|78}}

|stadium =Hampden Park

|location =Glasgow

|attendance=28,295

|referee =John Beaton

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date =5 November 2023

|time =15:00

|team1 =Heart of Midlothian

|score =1–3

|team2 =Rangers

|report ={{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2023/11/05/scotland/league-cup/heart-of-midlothian-fc/rangers-fc/4255545/ |title=Hearts vs. Rangers - 5 November 2023 |publisher=Soccerway |date=5 November 2023 |access-date=5 November 2023}}

|goals1 =

Shankland {{goal|81|pen.}}

|goals2 =

Tavernier {{goal|50|pen.}}, {{goal|64}}
Wright {{goal|55}}

|stadium =Hampden Park

|location =Glasgow

|attendance=44,734

|referee =Nick Walsh

}}

=Final=

{{Football box collapsible

|date =17 December 2023

|time =15:00

|team1 =Rangers

|score =1–0

|team2 =Aberdeen

|report =

|goals1 =

Tavernier {{goal|76}}

|goals2 =

|stadium =Hampden Park

|location =Glasgow

|attendance=49,296

|referee =Don Robertson

}}

Media coverage

The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held exclusively by Viaplay Sports, who will broadcast between 12 and 16 live matches per season, as well as highlights.{{cite web|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/premier-sports-becomes-league-cup-title-sponsor |title=Premier Sports to sponsor League Cup |date=27 April 2021|work=SPFL|accessdate=27 April 2021}}

The following matches were broadcast live on UK television:

class="wikitable"
Round ! Date ! Match
rowspan=5\| Group stage \| 15 July 2023 \| Raith Rovers v Dunfermline Athletic{{cite web \|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/viaplay-cup-group-stage-fixtures \|title=Viaplay Cup group stage fixtures \|publisher=SPFL \|date=9 June 2023 \|access-date=9 June 2023}}
18 July 2023 \| Dundee United v Partick Thistle
22 July 2023 \| Motherwell v Queen's Park
25 July 2023 \| Falkirk v Dundee United
30 July 2023 \| Dundee v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
rowspan=2\| Second round \| 19 August 2023 \| Rangers v Greenock Morton{{cite web \|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/viaplay-cup-r2-fixture-details \|title=Viaplay Cup R2 fixture details \|publisher=SPFL \|date=31 July 2023 \|access-date=31 July 2023}}
20 August 2023 \| Kilmarnock v Celtic
rowspan=2\| Quarter-Finals \| 26 September 2023 \| Kilmarnock v Heart of Midlothian{{cite web \|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/viaplay-cup-quarter-final-update \|title=Viaplay Cup quarter-final update \|publisher=SPFL \|date=21 August 2023 \|access-date=21 August 2023}}
27 September 2023 \| Rangers v Livingston
rowspan=2\| Semi-Finals \| 4 November 2023 \| Hibernian v Aberdeen{{cite web \|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/viaplay-cup-semi-final-details \|title=Viaplay Cup semi-final details \|publisher=SPFL \|date=28 September 2023 \|access-date=28 September 2023}}
5 November 2023 \| Heart of Midlothian v Rangers
Final \| 17 December 2023 \| Rangers v Aberdeen{{cite web \|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/viaplay-cup-final-202324 \|title=Viaplay Cup Final 2023/24 \|publisher=SPFL \|date=6 November 2023 \|access-date=6 November 2023}}

class="wikitable"

Round

! Date

! Match

rowspan=5| Group stage

| 15 July 2023

| Raith Rovers v Dunfermline Athletic{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/viaplay-cup-group-stage-fixtures |title=Viaplay Cup group stage fixtures |publisher=SPFL |date=9 June 2023 |access-date=9 June 2023}}

18 July 2023

| Dundee United v Partick Thistle

22 July 2023

| Motherwell v Queen's Park

25 July 2023

| Falkirk v Dundee United

30 July 2023

| Dundee v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

rowspan=2| Second round

| 19 August 2023

| Rangers v Greenock Morton{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/viaplay-cup-r2-fixture-details |title=Viaplay Cup R2 fixture details |publisher=SPFL |date=31 July 2023 |access-date=31 July 2023}}

20 August 2023

| Kilmarnock v Celtic

rowspan=2| Quarter-Finals

| 26 September 2023

| Kilmarnock v Heart of Midlothian{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/viaplay-cup-quarter-final-update |title=Viaplay Cup quarter-final update |publisher=SPFL |date=21 August 2023 |access-date=21 August 2023}}

27 September 2023

| Rangers v Livingston

rowspan=2| Semi-Finals

| 4 November 2023

| Hibernian v Aberdeen{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/viaplay-cup-semi-final-details |title=Viaplay Cup semi-final details |publisher=SPFL |date=28 September 2023 |access-date=28 September 2023}}

5 November 2023

| Heart of Midlothian v Rangers

Final

| 17 December 2023

| Rangers v Aberdeen{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/viaplay-cup-final-202324 |title=Viaplay Cup Final 2023/24 |publisher=SPFL |date=6 November 2023 |access-date=6 November 2023}}

References

Category:Scottish League Cup seasons

League Cup

Cup

Round ! First match date ! Fixtures ! width=100\| Clubs
class="wikitable"
align=center \|align=left \|Group stage	align=left \|15 July 2023{{cite web \|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/date-set-for-viaplay-cup-draw \|title=Date set for Viaplay Cup draw\|publisher=SPFL \|date=16 May 2023 \|access-date=7 June 2023}}	80	45 → 16
align=center \|align=left \|Second round	align=left \|19 August 2023	8	16 → 8{{0}}
align=center \|align=left \|Quarter finals	align=left \|26 September 2023	4	8 → 4
align=center \|align=left \|Semi finals	align=left \|4 November 2023	2	4 → 2
align=center \|align=left \|Final	align=left \|17 December 2023	1	2 → 1