The Scottish League Cup was played for the 71st time in 2016/17 . The Scottish Football League Cup, which was played among the participants of the Premiership , Championship , League One and League Two and the two champions of the Highland and Lowland Football League , began on July 15, 2016 and ended with the final on November 27 2016 in Hampden Park, Glasgow. The competition was officially held as the Betfred Scottish League Cup . The format has been changed compared to previous years. First 8 groups with five teams each were formed. The eight group winners and the four second best teams in each group reached the second round. The teams that took part in the European Cup only started in the 2nd round. If no winner was found in a duel after 90 minutes, the game was decided on penalties . The winner got two points the loser one. As the defending champion, Ross County started the competition, which won in the previous year's final against the second division club Hibernian Edinburgh . The Staggies were eliminated in the reintroduced group stage after the team lost 3-2 to third division Alloa Athletic on matchday 3 . In the semi-finals that were played in Hampden Park, in addition to the Old Firm derby between Celtic Glasgow and the Rangers , there was a game between Aberdeen FC and the second division Greenock Morton . Celtic won the derby 1-0 with a goal from Moussa Dembélé . The Dons won against the second division side from Morton 2-0 after goals from Adam Rooney and Kenny McLean . Celtic reached the 31st time the final in the League Cup since 1957 , of which 15 were won. For the Dons it was the thirteenth entry into the finals since 1947 with six wins. After 1977 and 2000, both clubs faced each other for the third time in a direct duel in the final. Celtic won the final 3-0 with goals from Tom Rogić , James Forrest and Moussa Dembélé. It was the 16th title in the League Cup since their last victory in 2015 and the 100th title in the club's history.
The group stage was drawn on May 27, 2016. The eight group winners and the four second best teams in each group reached the second round. The European Cup participants Celtic Glasgow , FC Aberdeen , Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian Edinburgh started in the 2nd round. The games were played between July 15 and 31, 2016.
The 2nd round was drawn on July 31, 2016. Participation from the 1st round were the eight group winners and the four second best teams in each group. In addition, the European Cup participants Celtic Glasgow , FC Aberdeen , Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian Edinburgh entered the competition. The games were played on August 9 and 10, 2016.