Next season

[TerryTheTerror]

I don't mind them, for me it's been a good thing to introduce, was what the league cup originally was when it started in 1946, was always group stages for years, only stopped maybe late 70s or early 80s, then maybe changed to try leg ties before becoming Scottish Cup light for awhile until ten years ago when they changed to this format

Would rather we missed them due to being in Europe but still decent games to have and it can propel you into the league season if you play it right, see Hearts this year (extreme example right enough)

I doubt the league cup games back in the day happened in July though.

Just checked the Arab Archive for season 71/72 and we were in a group with Hibs, Kilmarnock, & Motherwell. The group matches started in mid August (14th Killie at home).

The issue folk have now is the timing of the early games. It's a real leveler between the teams and the bigger clubs, understandably, treat them as pre-season.