St Johnstone semi-final for 'new Betfred Cup favourites' Hibs

Former midfielder and Premier Sports pundit Michael Stewart tipped Jack Ross’ side as the new favourites for the competition – but they were the last out of the hat when paired with the Perth side by Stephen Craigen making the draw.

The Betfred Cup will be won by Hibs, St Johnstone, St Mirren or Livingston. (Gary Hutchison - SNS Group)

St Mirren and Livingston will square off in the other tie of the penultimate round, with both scheduled to be played on January 23 or 24.

Three of the four semi-finalists have won the cup in recent years. Hibs, under John Collins, hammered Kilmarnock 5-1 at Hampden for their last victory in the competition in 2006-07, but they were runners-up to Ross County more recently in 2015-16 and were also the defeated opposition when fellow semi-finalists Livingston lifted the trophy back in 2003.

Hibs won the cup, then known as the CIS Cup, in 2007. (Picture: SNS Group Alan Harvey)

St Mirren – who defeated Rangers 3-2 to take a place in the final four – defeated Hearts in 2013 to win the trophy.

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