Dunfermline had been the final aspect to qualify for the final 16 when a late Chris Kane penalty secured a win away to St Mirren on Sunday that sealed progress as one of many three greatest runners-up at Championship rivals Queen’s Park’s expense.
Though St Mirren nonetheless topped the group on objective distinction, the defeat meant they missed out on being seeded in Sunday’s draw.
Reacting to being drawn away to Rangers, supervisor Craig McLeish stated: “I’m dissatisfied from my perspective that we had an opportunity to win our group and be one of many seeded sides and the draw has not been good to us.
“I believed we had been denied a objective, however we solely have ourselves accountable sadly.”
Rangers counterpart Derek McInnes was delighted simply to get a house draw.
“The chances are you most likely come up in opposition to a Premiership workforce and that is clearly a problem,” he advised Rangers TV.
“You are up in opposition to a workforce who did so properly final season within the cup by profitable it. So we all know that it isn’t with out its pitfalls, however the truth that we’re at house, we have to be thankful for that.”
Dunfermline head coach Neil Lennon thought his aspect “deserved our victory” after a robust final half hour in opposition to St Mirren however was anticipating one other robust problem regardless of County now being within the league under.
“A house tie is crucial factor, however Ross County have been phenomenal this season after a massively disappointing relegation, so we is not going to be taking something with no consideration,” he stated.
Aberdeen, Ayr, Dundee United, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Kilmarnock, County and Stenhousemuir had been the opposite group winners, whereas Dundee and Partick Thistle progressed as runners-up.
Celtic, Coronary heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Motherwell and Rangers got byes to the final 16 as they’re representing Scotland in European competitions.
Whereas the Previous Agency have been drawn in opposition to top-flight opponents, the opposite three tackle Championship sides, with Hearts internet hosting Caley Thistle, Hibs at house to Partick Thistle and Motherwell away to Stenhousemuir.
The second-round ties will likely be performed on the weekend of 15-16 August.
