Scottish clubs reshuffle schedules for European ties and Cup draw

The Premier Sports Cup last‑16 draw is set to take place after the 3 p.m. St Mirren‑Dunfermline match, with Celtic and Rangers entering the competition at this stage. Both clubs have been kept separate from the earlier rounds and will join the seeded teams that include Aberdeen, Dundee United, Ross County and others. The draw will determine the pathways to the quarter‑finals scheduled for mid‑September.

Meanwhile, all five Scottish clubs involved in European competition – Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Motherwell and Hibernian – have agreed to postpone their Scottish Premiership fixtures slated for Saturday 22 August. The move follows a rule allowing clubs engaged in UEFA play‑off ties to unilaterally move domestic matches to avoid congestion. Celtic’s league game against St Johnstone and similar fixtures for the other clubs will be rescheduled, giving the teams uninterrupted time to prepare for Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League qualifiers.

The coordinated postponements and the upcoming cup draw highlight a busy period for Scottish football, balancing domestic cup ambitions with demanding European schedules.