Football: Alloa rewarded with day out at Ibrox

ALLOA WERE were yesterday given the lucrative reward of a trip to Ibrox following their 1-0 Scottish League Cup second-round success at Dundee on Saturday.

The Second Division team were drawn against Rangers in the third round, following their win at Dens Park courtesy of a goal by Gregor McKechnie. Their central defender, John McCormack, said yesterday: "This is a huge boost for the club, and the players will enjoy being on such a stage."

The pick of the other ties, which will be played on Tuesday or Wednesday 18 or 19 August, is Airdrie against the holders of the trophy, Celtic. That match looks certain to take place at the First Division club's newly opened 10,000-capacity Shyberry Excelsior stadium.

Livingston, also of the Second Division, will again face opposition from the Scottish Premier League (after defeating Dunfermline) after they were drawn at Kilmarnock.

A potential shock may come when Dundee United, who edged past Stirling on Saturday only via penalties, visit Third Division Ross County. Hibernian, relegated last season from the Premier Division, have an Easter Road meeting with Aberdeen that promises much.

Motherwell will expect to defeat Ayr, but St Johnstone may be troubled by Falkirk, who beat the McDiarmid Park team in last year's Scottish Cup. Hearts also meet First Division opposition as they look to add silverware to their Scottish Cup triumph, with a home tie against Raith at Tynecastle.

SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP Third round draw: Kilmarnock v Livingston; Ross County v Dundee Utd; Motherwell v Ayr; Falkirk v St Johnstone; Hearts v Raith; Hibernian v Aberdeen; Rangers v Alloa; Airdrie v Celtic. (Ties to be played on Tuesday 18 August or Wednesday 19 August).