Dundee sides kept apart in group stages

There will no Dundee derbies in the group stages of the Betfred Cup after the draw was made last night.

The Dark Blues, who were top seeds along with St Johnstone, have been drawn in Group D along with Dunfermline, Stirling Albion, Brechin City and Peterhead.

United were second seeds in Group A and will play Ross County, Dundee, Arbroath, Elgin City, Alloa.

Saints were first out of the hat in Group B and the Perth men will be up against Falkirk, Montrose, East Fife and Forfar.

Group C will pit Raith Rovers against top seeds Hearts, Inverness, Cowdenbeath and Cove Rangers, the latter pair re-running the pyramid playoff that was won by the Central Park side.

The 40-team draw, which also involved a South section, was made by former Celtic players Chris Sutton and Alan Stubbs.

The competition kicks off on the weekend of July 14, with the fixtures and televised games to be announced next week.

Draw: North Section – Group A – Ross County, Dundee United, Arbroath, Elgin City, Alloa Athletic.

Group B – St Johnstone, Falkirk, Montrose, East Fife, Forfar Athletic.

Group C – Hearts, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Raith Rovers, Cowdenbeath, Cove Rangers.

Group D – Dundee, Dunfermline, Stirling Albion, Brechin City, Peterhead. South Section

Group E – Partick Thistle, Morton, Albion Rovers, Ayr United, Stenhousemuir.

Group F – Hamilton, Livingston, Berwick Rangers, Airdrieonians, Annan Athletic.

Group G – Motherwell, Queen of the South, Clyde, Edinburgh City, Stranraer.

Group H – Kilmarnock, St Mirren, Dumbarton, Queen’s Park.