Premier Sports Cup last 16 TV selections announced as Rangers, Celtic and Friday night derby take centre stage

Group stage action concluded last weekend and eight ties for the next round were selected. Proceedings across August 14, 15 and 16 will begin with the Ayrshire derby on Friday night at Rugby Park between Kilmarnock and Ayr United. The pair last met in 2021/22’s Championship campaign, and while Killie won the last meeting 3-1, it was the Honest Men who achieved a 2-1 win last time out at Rugby Park.

Dundee United will host Celtic at Tannadice a day later with a 5:45pm kick-off and Rangers finish off the live TV slate on the Sunday versus holders St Mirren at Ibrox. Aberdeen host Dundee and Dunfermline Athletic take on Ross County in 3pm kick-off’s on the Saturday. Teams in European action have their games on the Sunday, Hibs vs Partick Thistle, Hearts vs Inverness CT and Motherwell vs Stenhousemuir all beginning at 2pm. Rangers vs St Mirren finish the schedule at 4pm with every match available via the Premier Sports Player.

What has Gary Naysmith said about Kilmarnock vs Ayr United

Ayr boss Gary Naysmith is excited for the Ayrshire derby. He told the Ayrshire Post: "It's a brilliant one for the fans, the players and for me as a manager so early in my time here. It's a fierce rivalry. I’ve been lucky enough to play in the Edinburgh and Merseyside derbies and this is another huge occasion in its own right.

"I know that over the next few weeks, I'll be hearing plenty from the fans about just how much this fixture means. So it's a great one to look forward to. "For now, though, the focus is two big games before that to start our league campaign. We've had a fantastic start in the cup but that's all it is - a start."

St Mirren boss Craig McLeish faces a nervous wait after comments made following last weekend’s 1-0 defeat by Dunfermline Athletic in the competition brought about an SFA notice of complaint. The 36-year-old questioned referee Sean Murdoch - who used to play for Dunfermline Athletic - and asked who he used to play for. He has now been called to a hearing on August 27 after a complaint over "Disciplinary Rule 72".

A club statement reads: “St Mirren Football Club acknowledges the Notice of Complaint from the Scottish FA against manager Craig McLeish. The club will fully assess the notice before determining our next steps. We will make no further comment at this time.”

Premier Sports Cup last 16 schedule

Kilmarnock vs Ayr United (August 14, 7:45pm KO)

Aberdeen vs Dundee (August 15, 3PM KO)

Dunfermline Athletic vs Ross County (August 15, 3PM KO)

Dundee United vs Celtic (August 15, 5:45PM KO)

Hibs vs Partick Thistle (August 16, 2PM KO)

Hearts vs Inverness CT (August 16, 2PM KO)

Stenhousemuir vs Motherwell (August 16, 2PM KO)

Rangers vs St Mirren (August 16, 2PM KO)