The Premier Sports Cup last 16 draw has set up several intriguing encounters, with current holders St Mirren facing a challenging away trip to Rangers. The draw, which took place on Sunday, also pitted Scottish champions Celtic against Dundee United, ensuring two all-top-flight clashes in the competition's second round.
St Mirren's manager, Craig McLeish, expressed disappointment following the draw. His side narrowly missed out on a seeded spot after a late penalty defeat to Dunfermline Athletic, which meant they topped their group on goal difference but were not among the seeded teams. McLeish commented, "I am disappointed from my point of view that we had a chance to win our group and be one of the seeded sides and the draw has not been good to us. I thought we were denied a goal, but we only have ourselves to blame unfortunately."
Dunfermline Athletic, who secured their place in the last 16 as one of the three best runners-up, will now host League 1 side Ross County. Dunfermline head coach Neil Lennon, whose team's victory over St Mirren was crucial for their progression, appeared more optimistic about his side's prospects. "I thought we played well in the last half hour and deserved our victory," Lennon stated. "A home tie is the most important thing, but Ross County have been phenomenal this season after a hugely disappointing relegation, so we will not be taking anything for granted."
Further ties include an Ayrshire derby between Kilmarnock and Ayr United, and another all-Premiership fixture seeing Aberdeen host Dundee. Heart of Midlothian will play Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Hibernian are at home to Partick Thistle, and Motherwell will travel to Stenhousemuir. These three Premiership clubs, along with Celtic and Rangers, received byes to the last 16 due to their participation in European competitions.
The draw guarantees that at least one non-Premiership side will reach the quarter-finals, given the Dunfermline Athletic versus Ross County tie. The full list of group winners included Aberdeen, Ayr, Dundee United, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Kilmarnock, Ross County, and Stenhousemuir, with Dundee and Partick Thistle also progressing as runners-up. All second-round matches are scheduled to be played on the weekend of 15-16 August.