Holders St Mirren will travel to face Rangers in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup, following the draw for the competition's knockout stage. Celtic have been drawn at home to Dundee United.
St Mirren secured their place in the draw as one of the three best runners-up despite a late penalty loss away to Dunfermline on Sunday. The defeat meant they missed out on being a seeded side in the draw, a missed opportunity highlighted by manager Craig McLeish. "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," McLeish stated. He added, "I thought we were denied a goal, but we only have ourselves to blame unfortunately."
Dunfermline, who secured their progress through Chris Kane's late penalty, will also face a home tie. Head coach Neil Lennon expressed satisfaction with the draw. "A home tie is the most important thing," he said, "but Ross County have been phenomenal this season after a hugely disappointing relegation, so we will not be taking anything for granted."
The other group winners to reach the last 16 include Aberdeen, Ayr, Dundee United, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Kilmarnock, Ross County, and Stenhousemuir. Dundee and Partick Thistle also progressed as runners-up.
Celtic, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Motherwell, and Rangers received byes to the last 16 due to their participation in European competitions. While the Old Firm clubs, Celtic and Rangers, face top-flight opposition, the other three seeded teams will play Championship sides. Hearts are set to host Caley Thistle, Hibs will play Partick Thistle at home, and Motherwell will travel to face Stenhousemuir.
The second-round ties are scheduled to be played on the weekend of August 15-16.