13 – Hibernian, former club of Scotland Euro 2020 heroes John McGinn and Leigh Griffiths, moved into Round 2 of the Betfred Cup following a 4-1 victory over Dundee at Easter Road. Jack Ross’ side picked up four wins out of four in the group stage – it is the first time the Hibees have earned maximum points since the group stage was introduced in 2016. The victory extended Hibs’ unbeaten run against Dundee at Easter Road to 13 matches in all competitions - Dundee’s last win over them in Edinburgh was way back in April 2002, when Gavin Rae and Steven Milne scored the goals in a 2-1 victory. They will have another opportunity after the clubs were paired together again in the last 16 of the Betfred Cup.
27 – In a week when Scotland’s men qualified for a major tournament for the first time in 22 years, Arbroath ended an even longer drought by making it to the last 16 of the Betfred Cup for the first time in 27 years. Dick Campbell’s side defeated Elgin City 3-0 at Gayfield to make it three wins out of four and ensure they finished as one of the four best runners-up. When Arbroath last reached this stage in 1993/94, they were thumped 9-1 by Celtic, but this time round they will be hoping to go one better and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1978/79.
15 – After watching former stars Declan Gallagher, Lyndon Dykes and Leigh Griffiths celebrate success for Scotland on Thursday, Livingston achieved an important victory of their own on Saturday by beating Airdrieonians 4-1 at the Tony Macaroni Arena. Livi picked up maximum points in the group stage for the first time since it was introduced in 2016 to set up a Round 2 clash with Ayr United. Gary Holt’s side were the top scorers in this season’s group stage, rattling in 15 goals across their four matches – this equals the highest tally since the group stages were introduced, matching the record of Dundee and Inverness CT in 2016/17 and Ayr United in 2017/18.
4 – Two days after Scotland’s penalty shoot-out drama in Belgrade, Betfred Cup Group F was also decided by a shoot-out at Somerset Park. Ayr United and Stranraer drew 1-1 in normal time, setting up a winner-takes-all showdown from 12 yards, in which Mark Kerr’s side ultimately triumphed. The Honest Men have become Betfred Cup group stage specialists – they have made it through in four of the five seasons since this format was adopted, which is the best performance of any non-Premiership club.
8 – A last-minute header from Luka Jovic wasn’t enough for Serbia to defeat Scotland on Thursday night, but one from Paul Watson was enough to help Dunfermline overcome Clyde in Saturday’s Betfred Cup Group E clash. The Bully Wee led the Pars 2-0, but Stevie Crawford’s men netted three goals in the last half hour, including two in the last five minutes, to ensure they topped the group. The Pars have picked up seven wins and a draw in eight matches so far in 2020/21, which is their best ever start to a season.
