Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes has questioned the fairness of the Viaplay Cup draw after being drawn against Celtic in the last 16 of the competition.
McInnes’ Kilmarnock won three of their four group matches and topped the table but were unseeded for the knockout phase of the competition.
The eight seeded teams for the last 16 were the nation’s five European representatives who didn’t take part in the group stages (Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs) plus the 3 group winners with the best group stage record (Ayr United, Aidrieonians and Motherwell).
Speaking today the Killie manager said: “It’s not the draw we wanted but it’s the draw we’ve been given, and we’ll try and make the most of it.
“I find the whole thing strange to be honest, the seeding. You win your group and you’re up against a seed?
“I think if you win your group, you should be a seed and if you can’t satisfy everyone then don’t have any seeds, just put everybody in a hat.”
The Rugby Park boss also voiced his frustrations about the way in which the draw was completed for the initial group stage.
He added: “I mean, we played two championship clubs and yet there’s other premier league teams, without naming them, who only had one and there were no championship teams in Ross County or Livingston’s group so I don’t know how they even come to the conclusion of doing that draw.
“We still won the group and we’ve been given a tough draw, so I don’t know how they do it. You’d like to think if you won your group and there’s seeds being given, you’d be one of the seeds.
“But so be it, we’ve got Celtic, we’ll deal with it when it comes round. It’s a tough start: Rangers, Hearts and Celtic, so we embrace the challenge.
“With cup football you never know. Let’s face it our best chance of beating them you’d think would be at home so we’re grateful for the home draw.”
