The Scottish League Cup is a knockout cup competition in Scottish football, organised by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL). It is considered to be the second most important domestic cup competition in Scottish football, after the Scottish Cup. The competition is open to all 42 members of the SPFL as well as invited sides from the Highland League and Lowland League.
The competition was established in 1947, the format was taken from the Southern League Cup which operated as a regional tournament (national for its last season) during World War II. The Scottish League Cup was formed, operated by and named after the Scottish Football League (SFL), who continued to operate it after the top division clubs formed the Scottish Premier League (SPL) in 1998. The competition is now organised by the SPFL, the body formed by the merger of the SPL and SFL in 2013.
Rangers hold the record for most wins with 28, while Celtic are second with 21 victories. The cup is currently held by Rangers, who defeated Aberdeen in the December 2023 final.
Before 1981, a draw in the final (after extra time) resulted in the match being replayed at a later date. Since the 1981 Final, the result has always been decided on the day, with a penalty shootout if required after extra time.
(R) | Replay |
* | Match went to extra time |
† | Match decided by a penalty shootout after extra time |
Italics | Team from outside the top level of Scottish football |
Club | Wins | Last win | Runners-up | Last final lost |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rangers | 28 | 2023 (December) | 9 | 2023 (February) |
Celtic | 21 | 2023 (February) | 15 | 2012 |
Aberdeen | 6 | 2014 | 10 | 2023 (December) |
Heart of Midlothian | 4 | 1962 | 3 | 2013 |
Hibernian | 3 | 2007 | 8 | 2021 (December) |
Dundee | 3 | 1973 | 3 | 1995 |
East Fife | 3 | 1953 | — | — |
Dundee United | 2 | 1980 | 5 | 2015 |
Kilmarnock | 1 | 2012 | 5 | 2007 |
Motherwell | 1 | 1950 | 3 | 2017 |
Partick Thistle | 1 | 1971 | 3 | 1958 |
St Mirren | 1 | 2013 | 2 | 2010 |
St Johnstone | 1 | 2021 (February) | 2 | 1998 |
Raith Rovers | 1 | 1994 | 1 | 1949 (March) |
Livingston | 1 | 2004 | 1 | 2021 (February) |
Ross County | 1 | 2016 (March) | — | — |
Dunfermline Athletic | — | — | 3 | 2006 |
Inverness Caledonian Thistle | — | — | 1 | 2014 |
Ayr United | — | — | 1 | 2002 |
Greenock Morton | — | — | 1 | 1963 |
Third Lanark | — | — | 1 | 1959 |
Falkirk | — | — | 1 | 1947 (October) |
City / Town | Wins | Clubs | Latest win (year) |
---|---|---|---|
Glasgow | 50 | Rangers (28), Celtic (21), Partick Thistle (1) | Rangers (December 2023) |
Edinburgh | 7 | Heart of Midlothian (4), Hibernian (3) | Hibernian (2007) |
Aberdeen | 6 | Aberdeen (6) | Aberdeen (2014) |
Dundee | 5 | Dundee (3), Dundee United (2) | Dundee United (1980) |
Methil | 3 | East Fife (3) | East Fife (1953) |
Motherwell | 1 | Motherwell (1) | Motherwell (1950) |
Kirkcaldy | 1 | Raith Rovers (1) | Raith Rovers (1994) |
Livingston | 1 | Livingston (1) | Livingston (2004) |
Kilmarnock | 1 | Kilmarnock (1) | Kilmarnock (2012) |
Paisley | 1 | St Mirren (1) | St Mirren (2013) |
Dingwall | 1 | Ross County (1) | Ross County (March 2016) |
Perth | 1 | St Johnstone (1) | St Johnstone (February 2021) |
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