Rangers forward Josh McPake starts on the Queen's Park bench after joining on loan this morning.

Quick turnaround for the 20-year-old.

And we're off around the country...

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes says "it does feel like a glorified pre-season" as he suggests fans have not been enthused by the League Cup group stage.

Bemoaning having "seven players in the treatment room," he tells BBC Scotland the knock-out stage is when it becomes more exciting and "we need to make sure we are involved in that".

McInnes is happy with his summer signings but says he wants to add more of a goal threat and a left-sided defender to complete his squad.

Livingston boss David Martindale says "it would be disrespectful" to Kelty Hearts to think about scoring goals to improve his side's goal difference as they chase qualification for the knock-out stage.

"We've got to concentrate on ourselves and pick up three points and see what happens elsewhere and with Aberdeen on Sunday," he tells BBC Scotland.

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson tells BBC Scotland he is concentrating on "performance levels, attitude, energy" and a victory over Ayr United rather than thinking about the possibility it might not be enough to qualify for the next round.

Davidson admits performances so far have been a little "below par" but points out Saints have been "missing three or four players".

As for newspaper reports this morning linking St Johnstone with Watford's Pontus Dahlberg and West Ham United's Nathan Trotton in his search for a replacement for goalkeeper Zander Clark, he would only say he has "options".

Dundee, who are top of Group H with nine points, look set to progress to the last 16.

If the Dens Park side avoid defeat at home to Forfar Athletic, they will confirm top spot.

Queen's Park and Hamilton Academical, who meet today, can match Dundee's current total of nine points as long as there's a winner in the game.

There's also pre-season friendly action in Scotland today and Delia Smith, celebrity chef and joint majority shareholder of Norwich City, is at Celtic Park for her side's match this afternoon.

Wonder what she makes of the Parkhead pies?

Image source, SNS

Stuart Kettlewell
Former Ross County manager on BBC Sportsound

Inverness Caledonian Thistle look good for progression in top spot.

Only defeat to fellow Championship side Cove Rangers, a win for top-flight Livingston and a big goal swing would prevent that.

David Martindale's men still have a good chance of going through, however, as a win at home to Kelty Hearts will put the West Lothian club on nine points, a healthy tally for a second-placed side.

Image source, SNS

Richard Foster
Former St Johnstone defender on BBC Sportsound

The only team with guaranteed progression is League 2 side Annan, who sit top of Group F with a stunning 10 points from four games.

Meanwhile, St Johnstone's place in the competition is in serious doubt.

The 2021 winners have just five points from three games and need a win over Ayr United to stand a chance of progression.

Callum Davidson's men would also need Queen of the South, who are currently second on goals scored, to slip up away to winless Elgin City.