Scotland’s early exit from international competition has turned attention back to domestic football, with competitive action returning as early as Saturday. The first-round group stages of the Premier Sports Cup get underway this weekend, with four Scottish Premiership sides involved.
Last season was a turbulent one for tournament holders St Mirren. The Paisley club lifted the trophy in December, defeating Celtic 3-1 at Hampden, before suffering a 6-2 loss to the same opponents in the Scottish Cup semi-final after fighting back from two goals down to force extra time. A Premiership survival battle then went all the way to the play-off final, where interim boss Craig McLeish secured a 2-1 aggregate win over Partick Thistle — a result that earned him the job on a permanent basis. McLeish, who had taken charge after Stephen Robinson left for Aberdeen in March, has since named Marcus Fraser as club captain following Mark O’Hara’s departure.
St Mirren begin the defence of their League Cup title away to Dumbarton at 15:00 BST on Saturday. East Kilbride host Scottish Cup finalists Dunfermline Athletic in the other Group C fixture, while Cove Rangers are not in action this round.
Elsewhere, Championship side Airdrieonians return to Dens Park in Group D, almost exactly a year on from their 1-0 win there that helped end Dundee’s interest in last season’s competition. Steven Pressley’s side followed that result with a solid Premiership campaign in which they were never threatened by relegation, and they will be looking for another upset on Saturday at 15:00. Chris Mochrie, who scored that Dens Park winner for Airdrie last July, has since moved to St Mirren.
Annan Athletic host Ross County in the other Group D match on Saturday, while Clyde sit this weekend out.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
