Premier Sports Cup group stage draw in full as SPFL new boys East Kilbride learn fate and two Premiership sides face off
SPFL newboys East Kilbride have landed a Premier Sports Cup tie against 2021 League Cup winners and recently relegated St Johnstone after the group stage of the competition was drawn on Wednesday.
The K Park side have reached League Two for the first time in their history after scoring victories over Brora Rangers and Bonnyrigg Rose in the play-offs, sending the latter back down to the Lowland League in the process.
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Mick Kennedy's side will also face 2015 Scottish Cup winners Inverness, Raith Rovers and fellow fourth tier team Elgin City.
READ MORE: Motherwell announce summer departures as 13 stars leave
READ MORE: Premier Sports Cup draw details and seedings plus live stream and how to watch for free
The likes of Hearts, Kilmarnock and high-flying Falkirk now know who they will need to first overcome in the quest for Hampden glory in this competition
Once again Scotland's European representatives get a bye through this stage including title holders Celtic but by no means does that mean there isn't some tasty meetings drawn out the hat.
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Here are three games to watch out for in the Premier Sports Cup groups:
Hearts vs Dunfermline
An immediate eye catcher pits former Hibs boss Neil Lennon's Pars up against newly appointed Derek McInnes' Hearts with both managers looking to make statements early on in the year. Both clubs have excellent fan bases, and this one will have no shortage of needle in the mix for them to enjoy.
Ross County vs Partick Thistle
A preview for what may be to come in the Championship, this tie brings Don Cowie's Staggies a taste of what they will be up against as they feel the fall to the Championship.
Thistle will once again wish to be in the promotion mix and they know that in order to do that teams like Ross County will need to be overcame so a great test lies for them here also.
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St Johnstone vs East Kilbride
Fellow top flight relegation victims St Johnstone will be out to make a statement ahead of their own campaign to bounce back up to the top flight and will have no better opportunity than to take the game to SPFL newcomers East Kilbride who make their first appearance since promotion to league 2 for the first every time.
Mick Kennedys Kilby on the other hand will relish this opportunity against a top club to show they may be the newsboy's, but they are not to be underestimated.
Premier Sports group stage draw in full:
Group A
Falkirk
Queen's Park
Cove Rangers
The Spartans
Brechin City
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Group B
Ross County
Partick Thistle
Queen of the South
Edinburgh City
Stranraer
Group C
Dundee
Airdrieonians
Alloa Athletic
Montrose
Bonnyrigg Rose
Group D
St Mirren
Ayr United
Arbroath
Annan Athletic
Forfar Athletic
Group E
Heart of Midlothian
Dunfermline Athletic
Hamilton Accies
Dumbarton
Stirling Albion
Group F
St Johnstone
Raith Rovers
Inverness CT
Elgin City
Stirling Albion
East Kilbride
Group G
Motherwell
Greenock Morton
Stenhousemuir
Peterhead
Clyde
Group H
Kilmarnock
Livingston
Kelty Hearts
East Fife
Brora Rangers
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