Scottish football returns this weekend. This Premier Sports Cup preview looks at five talking points before sixteen ties kick off on Saturday. Meanwhile, the FIFA World Cup is winding down, but domestic attention has already shifted north. Fans get a first look at new managers, old rivalries, and a couple of feel-good comebacks.
Premier Sports Cup Preview: New Bosses Face Their First Tests
Several dugouts look different this season. This Premier Sports Cup preview starts with the men taking charge for the first time. Gary Naysmith begins life as Ayr United boss with a trip to Stranraer, while Bartley takes Forfar Athletic to Stenhousemuir. Neither manager wants early nerves to define the afternoon.
Elsewhere, John Rankin returns to management with Airdrieonians. Then his side travels to face Premiership opposition in Dundee. Nicky Clark hopes to mark his first game as Queen of the South boss with a win over Kelty Hearts. Meanwhile, Stefan Laird’s Elgin City make the trip to Kirkcaldy to test Dougie Imrie’s improving Raith Rovers side.
Where To Watch Every Group Stage Match
Premier Sports holds exclusive rights to every group stage fixture. Thirty live games are scheduled across July alone. Saturday’s headline pick is Steven Whittaker’s first game as Stirling Albion boss, at home to Dundee United, kick-off 5.30pm. Consequently, that tie carries extra weight beyond the usual group stage stakes.
Four further matches will stream for Premier Sports subscribers or through pay-per-view, priced at £9.99 for a Matchday Pass. Dumbarton host St Mirren and Dundee face Airdrieonians, both at 3pm. Meanwhile, East Kilbride welcome Dunfermline Athletic and Edinburgh City take on Falkirk at the same time. Given the breadth of coverage, there is little excuse for missing any of the weekend’s bigger stories.
Premier Sports Cup Preview: Dundee Look To Avenge Last Year’s Shock
A year ago, Airdrieonians stunned Dundee with a 1-0 win on the opening weekend. Saturday brings an immediate rematch at Dens Park. Steven Pressley’s side showed real progress across his debut campaign, so a home win here would settle any lingering nerves. However, the Diamonds will fancy their chances of another famous away-day result.
For newly promoted opposition, occasions like this offer a rare shot at a marquee scalp. Therefore, expect Rankin’s side to set up cautiously at first. They will hope to catch their hosts on the counter, much as they did twelve months ago.
A Stern Opening Test For East Kilbride And Dunfermline
East Kilbride enjoyed a memorable debut season in the SPFL. Their back-to-back promotions, confirmed by the Scotsman, have raised expectations heading into a tougher division. Winning the title came on the back of eye-catching, attacking football. That form also earned Mick Kennedy the division’s Manager of the Season award.
This step up faces an immediate examination against Dunfermline Athletic, who reached last season’s Scottish Cup final under Neil Lennon. The Pars needed a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Falkirk to reach Hampden. They fell to Celtic in the final itself, but the run showed real cup pedigree.
Two of the country’s most driven bosses go head to head at the Bumblebee Stadium. A cagey afternoon feels unlikely.
Premier Sports Cup Preview: Familiar Faces Make Their Return
Caley Thistle supporters will welcome back Aberdeen loanees Alfie Bavidge and Alfie Stewart when the club hosts East Fife. Also, both players were key figures in Inverness’s promotion push last term. Similarly, Falkirk fans are set for an emotional afternoon. Craig Sibbald returns to his boyhood club for a second spell after more than 270 appearances first time around.
Sibbald’s first match back could come against Michael McIndoe’s Edinburgh City, who retained SPFL status through the play-offs last season. Under the newly elected SPFL board, governance and structure feel settled heading into the new campaign. That should let clubs focus purely on results on the pitch.
Beyond Saturday’s cup ties, attention will soon turn to the William Hill Premiership. The wider Scottish Premiership picture comes into focus once the group stage wraps up in late July. For now, though, this weekend belongs to the lower reaches of the pyramid.
Keep half an eye on the shock results filtering through on Saturday evening. Early cup form has a habit of shaping the tone of an entire season, and this opening round already promises plenty of stories.
