Betfred Cup group stage draw to take place just two days after season ends

The summer break seems to get shorter every year and preparations are already beginning for new season.

The Betfred Cup group stage draw will take place on Tuesday just two days after the last ball of the 2018/19 season was kicked.

And the bad news for Dundee United is there's penalty kicks at this stage of the tournament as well.

The four clubs who have qualified for Europe - Celtic, Rangers, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen - won't be involved in the draw meaning Hibs are the highest seeded side because of their fifth place finish in the Premiership.

Celtic's Ryan Christie with the Betfred Cup trophy - which has put the Hoops on route to another treble (SNS Group)

Aside from the European four, the other 38 clubs from last season's SPFL, plus the winners of the Highland League, Cove Rangers, and the winners of the Lowland League, East Kilbride, will all take part.

The teams are split into eight groups of five with the group winners, plus the four best runners-up go into the last 16 alongside Celtic, Rangers, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen.

The draw takes place at 1.30pm.