St Mirren will aim to put last season’s disappointing League Cup campaign behind them after the draw was made today for this summer’s group stage.
The Buddies failed at the first hurdle a year ago – winning two and losing two of their four games and finishing third with Arbroath advancing and Airdrieonians in second spot.
There will be a July reunion with two of the clubs Saints faced in 2022 after they were again paired with Dick Campbell’s Smokies and Cowdenbeath of the Lowland League.
Also in the group are League One Montrose and Forfar Athletic, bossed by Ray McKinnon, from League Two.
Full details of when fixtures will be played, and TV selections, are set to be announced in the coming days, with the season kicking off on Saturday, July 15.
Saints ended up a top-six Premiership side this term but had opened their campaign with a shock 1-0 cup defeat at home to Arbroath.
A double from striker Jonah Ayunga sealed a 2-0 win at Cowdenbeath but a loss at Airdrie effectively ended Saints’ interest in the competition before a victory over FC Edinburgh.
Meanwhile, boss Stephen Robinson says Saints secured top-six football ahead of schedule as he sets out to build on that success next term.
He said: “We’re probably a year ahead of ourselves in terms of where we thought we would be.
“It’s now about building a squad that can maintain that and challenge again for the top six because everyone is going to think the same, and try to strengthen.”
Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
