# 2021–22 Scottish League Cup group stage

The 2021–22 Scottish League Cup group stage was played from 9 July 2021 to 25 July 2021. A total of 40 teams competed in the group stage. The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the three best runners-up progressed to the second round (last 16) of the 2021–22 Scottish League Cup.

## Format

The group stage consists of eight groups of five teams. The five clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League (Rangers and Celtic), Europa League (St Johnstone) and Europa Conference League (Hibernian and Aberdeen) qualifying rounds are given a bye through to the second round. The 40 teams taking part in the group stage consist of the other seven teams that competed in the 2020–21 Scottish Premiership, and all of the teams that competed in the 2020–21 Scottish Championship, 2020–21 Scottish League One and 2020–21 Scottish League Two, as well as the 2020–21 Highland Football League champions and the 2020–21 Lowland Football League champions and runners-up.
The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the three best runners-up, progress to the second round (last 16), which includes the five UEFA qualifying clubs. At this stage, the competition reverts to the traditional knock-out format. The three group winners with the highest points total and the clubs entering at this stage will be seeded, with the five group winners with the lowest points unseeded along with the three best runners-up.
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 will take place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.
The draw for the group stage took place on 28 May 2021 and was broadcast live on FreeSports & the SPFL YouTube channel.

## Teams
### North
#### Seeding

Teams in Bold qualified for the second round.
| Top seeds | Second seeds | Unseeded |
| 01. Livingston 02. Dundee United 03. Ross County 04. Heart of Midlothian | 05. Dundee 06. Raith Rovers 07. Inverness Caledonian Thistle 08. Arbroath | 09. Alloa Athletic 10. Cove Rangers 11. Montrose 12. East Fife 13. Peterhead 14. Forfar Athletic 15. Elgin City 16. Stirling Albion 17. Cowdenbeath 18. Brechin City 19. Brora Rangers 20. Kelty Hearts |
Source:

### South
#### Seeding

Teams in Bold qualified for the second round.
| Top seeds | Second seeds | Unseeded |
| 21. St Mirren 22. Motherwell 23. Kilmarnock 24. Hamilton Academical | 25. Dunfermline Athletic 26. Queen of the South 27. Ayr United 28. Greenock Morton | 29. Partick Thistle 30. Airdrieonians 31. Falkirk 32. Clyde 33. Dumbarton 34. Queen's Park 35. Edinburgh City 36. Stranraer 37. Stenhousemuir 38. Albion Rovers 39. Annan Athletic 40. East Kilbride |
Source:

## North
### Group A

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | HOM | STI | INV | COV | PET |
| 1 | Heart of Midlothian | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 1–0 | 3–0 | — |
| 2 | Stirling Albion | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 8 | | 0–2 | — | — | — | 3–1 |
| 3 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 4 | | — | 2–2p | — | — | 2–0 |
| 4 | Cove Rangers | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 10 | −4 | 3 | | — | 2–3 | 3–1 | — | — |
| 5 | Peterhead | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 8 | −4 | 3 | | 0–2 | — | — | 3–1 | — |

#### Matches
### Group B

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | DUN | ARB | KEL | ELG | EFI |
| 1 | Dundee United | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | 1–0 | — | 6–1 | — |
| 2 | Arbroath | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 9 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 3–2 | — | 2–0 |
| 3 | Kelty Hearts | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 6 | | 0–1 | — | — | — | 3–0 |
| 4 | Elgin City | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 12 | −7 | 3 | | — | 0–1 | 1–3 | — | — |
| 5 | East Fife | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 9 | −7 | 0 | | 0–1 | — | — | 2–3 | — |

#### Matches
### Group C

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | DUN | FOR | ROS | MON | BRO |
| 1 | Dundee | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | +12 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | 5–2 | — | — | 4–0 |
| 2 | Forfar Athletic | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 8 | | — | — | 3–0 | p0–0 | — |
| 3 | Ross County | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 6 | | 0–3 | — | — | 4–1 | — |
| 4 | Montrose | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 4 | | 0–2 | — | — | — | 3–0 |
| 5 | Brora Rangers | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 9 | −9 | 0 | | — | 0–1 | 0–1 | — | — |
* ↑ Forfar Athletic were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Ross County, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.
* ↑ Dundee were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Ross County, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.

#### Matches
##### Notes

* ^ A: Forfar Athletic were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Ross County, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.
* ^ B: Dundee were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Ross County, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.

### Group D

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | RAI | LIV | COW | ALO | BRE |
| 1 | Raith Rovers | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 9 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | — | p0–0 | 4–0 |
| 2 | Livingston | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 8 | Qualification for the second round | p0–0 | — | 3–1 | — | — |
| 3 | Cowdenbeath | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 6 | | 0–1 | — | — | — | 3–2 |
| 4 | Alloa Athletic | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 4 | | — | 2–1 | 0–1 | — | — |
| 5 | Brechin City | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | −7 | 3 | | — | 0–3 | — | 1–0 | — |

#### Matches
## South
### Group E

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | AYR | HAM | ALB | EDI | FAL |
| 1 | Ayr United | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 10 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | — | 3–0 | 3–0 |
| 2 | Hamilton Academical | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 8 | | 0–1 | — | p2–2 | — | — |
| 3 | Albion Rovers | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 | −4 | 5 | | p0–0 | — | — | p1–1 | — |
| 4 | Edinburgh City | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 4 | | — | 0–1 | — | — | 3–0 |
| 5 | Falkirk | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 | −3 | 3 | | — | 1–2 | 5–1 | — | — |
* ↑ Ayr United were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Falkirk, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.
* ↑ Edinburgh City were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Falkirk, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.

#### Matches
##### Notes

* ^ C: Edinburgh City were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Falkirk, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.
* ^ D: Ayr United were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Falkirk, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.

### Group F

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | MOT | QPK | QOS | AIR | ANN |
| 1 | Motherwell | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 9 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 3–2 | — | 2–0 |
| 2 | Queen's Park | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 7 | | 0–1 | — | — | 0–0p | — |
| 3 | Queen of the South | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 6 | | – | 0–1 | — | 4–1 | — |
| 4 | Airdrieonians | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 6 | | 2–0 | — | — | — | 1–1p |
| 5 | Annan Athletic | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | −5 | 2 | | — | 1–2 | 1–3 | — | — |

#### Matches
### Group G

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | KIL | STR | GMO | EKI | CLY |
| 1 | Kilmarnock | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 8 | Qualification for the second round | — | 2–1 | p1–1 | — | — |
| 2 | Stranraer | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 | | — | — | 3–0 | 1–0 | — |
| 3 | Greenock Morton | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 6 | | — | — | — | p0–0 | 2–1 |
| 4 | East Kilbride | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 5 | | 3–0 | — | — | — | 2–2p |
| 5 | Clyde | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 5 | | 1–2 | 1–0 | — | — | — |
* ↑ Stranraer were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Greenock Morton, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.
* ↑ East Kilbride were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Kilmarnock, who fielded an ineligible player. The match had originally finished 2–0 to Kilmarnock.

#### Matches
##### Notes

* ^ E: East Kilbride were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Kilmarnock, who fielded an ineligible player. The match had originally finished 2–0 to Kilmarnock.
* ^ F: Stranraer were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Greenock Morton, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.

### Group H

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | STM | DNF | PAR | STE | DUM |
| 1 | St Mirren | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | 1–0 | 2–0 | — | — |
| 2 | Dunfermline Athletic | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 5 | +8 | 9 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | — | 4–1 | 5–1 |
| 3 | Partick Thistle | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 6 | | — | 2–4 | — | — | 2–0 |
| 4 | Stenhousemuir | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 10 | −5 | 3 | | 1–3 | — | 1–2 | — | — |
| 5 | Dumbarton | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 12 | −10 | 0 | | 0–3 | — | — | 1–2 | — |
* ↑ St Mirren were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Dumbarton, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.

#### Matches
##### Notes

* ^ G: St Mirren were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Dumbarton, who were unable to raise a team after a COVID-19 outbreak among players and staff.

## Best runners-up

| Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | H | Dunfermline Athletic | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 5 | +8 | 9 | Qualification for the second round |
| 2 | B | Arbroath | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 9 | Qualification for the second round |
| 3 | D | Livingston | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 8 | Qualification for the second round |
| 4 | A | Stirling Albion | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 8 | |
| 5 | C | Forfar Athletic | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 8 | |
| 6 | E | Hamilton Academical | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 8 | |
| 7 | F | Queen's Park | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 7 | |
| 8 | G | Stranraer | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 | |

## Qualified teams

| Team | Qualified as | Qualified on | Notes |
| Heart of Midlothian | Group A winner | 20 July 2021 | |
| Dundee United | Group B winner | 20 July 2021 | Seeded for second round draw |
| Ayr United | Group E winner | 22 July 2021 | |
| Dundee | Group C winner | 24 July 2021 | Seeded for second round draw |
| Raith Rovers | Group D winner | 24 July 2021 | |
| Motherwell | Group F winner | 24 July 2021 | |
| Kilmarnock | Group G winner | 24 July 2021 | |
| Arbroath | Best runner-up | 24 July 2021 | |
| Dunfermline Athletic | Best runner-up | 24 July 2021 | |
| Livingston | Best runner-up | 24 July 2021 | |
| St Mirren | Group H winner | 25 July 2021 | Seeded for second round draw |

## Top goalscorers

    As of 25 July 2021
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
| 1 | Ally Roy | Queen of the South | 6 |
| 2 | Nathan Austin | Kelty Hearts | 4 |
| 2 | Brian Graham | Partick Thistle | 4 |
| 4 | Liam Buchanan | Cowdenbeath | 3 |
| 4 | Jason Cummings | Dundee | 3 |
| 4 | Lawrence Shankland | Dundee United | 3 |
| 4 | Kevin O'Hara | Dunfermline Athletic | 3 |
| 4 | Nikolay Todorov | Dunfermline Athletic | 3 |
| 4 | Craig Wighton | Dunfermline Athletic | 3 |
| 4 | Liam Boyce | Heart of Midlothian | 3 |
Source: