ATHLETIC will go head-to-head with former coach Neil McCann after they were paired with his Dundee side in the Betfred Cup.

The draw for the group stage of the competition, which kicks off on the weekend of July 14, was made on Friday night and handed the Pars a tie with the Premiership Dark Blues.

Dunfermline were second seeds for the north section of the draw, which meant they were paired with one of the four top seeded teams, and three unseeded sides.

They were drawn into Group D where, as well facing a Dees side that also features former striker Faissal El Bakhtaoui, they will take on Stirling Albion, Brechin City and Peterhead.

Allan Johnston's side will be looking for a repeat of their last meeting with Dundee in 2015, which ended in a 3-1 second round victory.

The group stage of the tournament includes the 38 SPFL clubs not involved in European competition, plus Highland and Lowland League winners Kelty Hearts.

The eight group winners and four best-runners up will qualify for the last 16, where European participants Celtic, Aberdeen, Rangers and Hibernian will also join the competition.

The full group stage fixture list is set to be confirmed next week after selections for broadcast have been made.