Hearts, Hibs and Edinburgh City to find out Betfred Cup group stage

The competition was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic

Hearts, Hibs and Edinburgh City to find out Betfred Cup groups. Picture: SNS

Hearts, Hibs and Edinburgh City will discover their opponents for the Betfred Cup group stage on Monday.

The tournament had its dates shifted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It was due to start in July but has been pushed to October with the semi finals and finals not taking place until next year.

Hearts and Edinburgh City will welcome the competition when it begins on 6 October, providing the Championship and League One side with competitive action before they begin their league campaign later that month.

Hibs’ season is already underway following a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock and Jack Ross could use some games to give fringe players a run-out when it comes around.

The format remains the same with 40 clubs drawn into eight groups of five on a regionalised basis. Teams could play their four fixtures in just over a month before the four Scottish clubs in European action – Celtic, Rangers, Motherwell and Aberdeen – join the eight group winners and four best runners-up in the round of 16 at the end of November.

Hearts and Hibs have the small matter of a Scottish Cup semi final on either 31 October or 1 November to contend with also.

The group seeds will be revealed ahead of the draw which takes place at 1pm and will be shown on Premier Sports via their FreeSports channel and the SPFL YouTube channel.