HOLDERS Celtic will kick off their defence of the Premier Sports Cup at home to Falkirk
After ending up on the wrong end of a Scottish Cup Final shock that saw the Treble slip through his fingers last season, Brendan Rodgers will be determined to claim his first since returning to parkhead as boss, and the first step will be taking care of the Bairns at Celtic Park.
Russell Martin’s remit is to beat Rodgers to silverware this season, no matter what competition it comes in. His first taste of cup action north of the border with Rangers will be a home tie against Alloa.
Hibs failed to get the result they needed to ensure they were seeded last season and paid the price by being sent to Parkhead. No such issues for the Hibees this season and David Gray’s men will take on Livingston at the Home of the Set Fare Arena.
Hearts finished the group stage with a 100 per cent record and racked up the goals under Derek McInnes. This particular trophy hasn’t been seen in Gorgie since 1962 and if the new-look Jambos want to put that right, St Mirren will have to be eliminated in Paisley.
Jimmy Thelin did a number on Celtic back in May and his Aberdeen side were paired with Greenock Morton at Cappielow as they set about trying to add the other domestic trophy to the cabinet.
Kilmarnock host Dundee Utd in an all-Premiership clash.
Premier Sports Cup draw in full: Celtic v Falkirk, Kilmarnock v Dundee United, Rangers v Alloa, Livingston v Hibs, St Johnstone v Motherwell, Morton v Aberdeen, Partick Thistle v Ayr, St Mirren v Hearts
Follow our LIVE blog for all the build-up, the draw itself and live reaction.
Key Events
Robinson's reaction
St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson is happy with a home tie but admits it's a harder tie that the Buddies might have otherwise had.
That's what you want, first and foremost to be in the draw, which we are, and a home tie.
It gives us every opportunity to try and keep progressing.
To win the cup, you're going to have to beat them somwhere along the line.
When I was at Motherwell, it was Hearts, Aberdeen and Rangers to get to the final, so we're going to have to do it a harder way than most.
Draw in full
Celtic v Falkirk
Kilmarnock v Dundee United
Rangers v Alloa
Livingston v Hibs
St Johnstone v Motherwell
Morton v Aberdeen
Partick Thistle v Ayr
St Mirren v Hearts
Ties played weekend of August 16/17.
The numbers
1. Celtic
2. Rangers
3. Hibernian
4. Dundee Utd
5. Aberdeen
6. Heart of Midlothian
7. St Johnstone
8. Partick Thistle
9. Alloa Athletic
10. Falkirk
11. Motherwell
12. St Mirren
13. Kilmarnock
14. Ayr Utd
15. Livingston
16. Greenock Morton
Full-time!
Killian Phillips' double is enough to give St Mirren a 2-1 win.
Kevin Holt halved the deficit for Ayr after the break but it wasn't enough.
That's the group stage taken care of, now for the draw...
Not long now
Just over ten minutes to play in Paisley.
Then it's draw time, with the balls set to come out at about 5pm.
GOAL!
Ayr United are back in it.
Dom Thomas' corner is floated to the back post.
Kevin Holt makes his way around the back post unmarked and heads over Shamal George and in to set up a tasty last 20 minutes.
Who is seeded?
The five clubs entering at this stage will be seeded, so Celtic, Rangers, Hibs Abewrdeen and Dundee Utd.
Joining them are the three group winners with the best records, which is Hearts, St Johnstone and Partick Thistle.
That leaves the non seeded clubs as Falkirk, Kilmarnock, Alloa, St Mirren, Motherwell, Livingston, Greenock Morton and Ayr United, barring an eight goal defeat to St Mirren.
Seeded
Celtic, Rangers, Hibs, Aberdeen, Dundee Utd, Hearts, St Johnstone, Partick Thistle.
Unseeded
Falkirk, Kilmarnock, Alloa, St Mirren, Motherwell, Livingston, Morton, Ayr (TBC).
GOAL!
It's Killian Phillips again!
Roland Idowu doesn't brilliantly on the left hand side and pulls the ball back for Phillips, who does really well to stretch and guide the ball past Mitchell first time into the bottom corner.
2-0 to St Mirren and it's going to take some comeback from Ayr to deny the Buddies top spot in the group.
GOAL!
St Mirren are hosting Ayr Utd in their final group game and the Buddies lead early doors.
Killian Phillips fires low past David Mitchell from inside the box and Stephen Robinson's side looking good to go through as group winners.
When can we expect the draw?
St Mirren vs Ayr United rounds off the group phase with that clash live on Premier Sports.
The draw will then swiftly follow the action in Paisley.
The game gets underway at 3pm.
Should the match end as a draw after 90 minutes then a shootout will take place to determine who claims the bonus point.
Who are the group winners?
After four games in each League Cup section we have seven group winners so far with one of Ayr United or St Mirren making it eight later this afternoon.
Falkirk, Partick Thistle, Alloa Athletic, St Johnstone, Kilmarnock, Motherewell and Hearts all won their sections to guarantee progress.
Three best runners-up will also join the last 16 party and two of those spots have already been claimed by Livingston and Greenock Morton.
It leaves Neil Lennon and Dunfermline watching developments in Paisley very closely this afternoon with the Pars boss looking for a big favour from old Celtic skipper and pal Scott Brown.
Euro 5 join the party
Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibs and Dundee United join in at this stage.
Due to European involvement, the 5 Premiership clubs earned safe passage directly to the knockout rounds.
The dream to reach Hampden starts here not only for them but the 11 other clubs who are in the hat.
Hello and welcome!
It's that time folks!
The Premier Sports Cup is heading into the knockout rounds and that means it is draw time.
The big guns are all in the hat as we find out later today who faces who in the last 16 of the competition.
