Overview
- The last-16 draw was held on Sunday, July 26 and confirmed eight ties including Rangers v St Mirren, Dundee United v Celtic and Aberdeen v Dundee.
- Seedings put Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Motherwell and Hibs into the seeded pot alongside the three best group winners, keeping top Premiership sides apart in this round.
- Dunfermline became the final qualifier when Chris Kane scored a late penalty to beat St Mirren, a result that cost St Mirren a seeded place and prompted manager Craig McLeish to voice his disappointment.
- Second-round ties are scheduled for the weekend of August 15/16 and the draw was shown live on Premier Sports 1 with a stream available on the Premier Sports Player.
- The competition format brings European qualifiers into the last 16 and sends winners on toward quarter-finals and a possible trip to Hampden Park, a route that reshapes club schedules and fan travel plans in mid-August.