The Draw for the First Round of the IRN-BRU Cup took place this afternoon at Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life in Coatbridge. The result of the draw is as follows:

NORTH
Aberdeen Colts    v St. Johnstone Colts
Dundee Colts v Alloa Athletic
Stirling Albion v Montrose
Ross County Colts v Forfar Athletic
Dundee United v Cowdenbeath
Formartine United v Heart of Midlothian Colts
East Fife v Peterhead
Stenhousemuir v Cove Rangers
Raith Rovers v Brora Rangers
Dunfermline Athletic v Arbroath
Hibernian Colts v Elgin City
Buckie Thistle v Brechin City

SOUTH
Dumbarton v Rangers Colts
Clyde v Stranraer
Hamilton Academical Colts v Edinburgh City
Albion Rovers v Spartans
Motherwell Colts v Queen’s Park
St. Mirren v East Kilbride
Partick Thistle Colts v Stirling University
Queen of the South v Airdrieonians
Kilmarnock Colts v Berwick Rangers
Annan Athletic v Celtic Colts
East Stirlingshire v Ayr United
Morton    v Livingston

Ties are due to be played on Tuesday 15 or Wednesday 16 August, 2017.

Reaction |

Paul Sheerin told afc.co.uk after the draw:

“The cup last season was a great experience which I really enjoyed. It was a really good learning curve for the players and I am looking forward to the competition again.

“First and foremost I am pleased we are at home.

“I am sure St Johnstone like us would probably rather have played against a side who were not from the Development League so we could play someone different and we could test ourselves against league opposition or one of the Highland League teams.

“Although obviously St Johnstone are in our league we don’t know too much about their side this season because like ourselves they will have new players coming through so it will be going into the unknown a little bit.

“In recent seasons, I think all our games against them have been very tight and I would imagine this one will be no different.  

“There will be a big incentive for both sides to get through.”

The format |

The 2017/18 IRN-BRU Cup will feature an improved format and increased prize money, in addition to two new participants, the SPFL announced ahead today’s First Round draw.

The revised format sees a reduction in the number of rounds from seven to six, with the competition kicking off in mid-August and leading up to the Final being played on Saturday 24 or Sunday 25 March, 2018.  

Bray Wanderers and Sligo Rovers will join the 2017/18 IRN-BRU Cup along with the Northern Irish and Welsh teams (Crusaders, Linfield, The New Saints and Gap Connah’s Quay) at the Second Round stage.