The first two draws in the Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup took place at Barclays Hampden this evening with host Kerry Pollock and guest, Rangers’ defender and Scotland international, Kirsty Smith.

Preliminary Round One will consist of eleven matches, with the other 15 sides entering at this stage receiving byes to Preliminary Round Two, which will see 13 ties played on Sunday, 30 August.

Round One proper will take place on Sunday, 20 September while the SWPL sides will enter as normal in Round Three, which is scheduled for Sunday, 22 November.

Following the conclusion of tonight’s draw, Rangers’ newest recruit, Kirsty Smith, says winning silverware and the opportunity to help Rangers reclaim the SWPL title were key factors behind her return to Scotland.

After almost ten years in the WSL, the Scotland international believes both the Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup and the women's game in Scotland have developed significantly during her decade down South.

"It is such a prestigious cup. It's probably the trophy that everyone wants to be a part of, everyone wants to win it. So, it's exciting to have done the draw today and just be a part of the experience already."

The 32-year-old fondly recalled winning the Scottish Cup with Hibs as one of the defining moments of her early career.

"It was so exciting to win that competition because it was a long time coming. It was one of the things I'd always wanted to achieve, especially up in Scotland before I left and went to England."

She added that reaching the latter stages of the competition remains a special experience for players, particularly with finals now staged at Barclays Hampden.

"Growing up, playing in the Scottish Cup is just one of those cups that you want to be a part of and you want to win. Obviously now you get to play at Hampden and it's just an amazing experience overall.

"The game has changed so much in Scotland that I'm excited to be a part of that now. When I left, it was a bit divided in terms of the league. Now it's come such a long way. Everyone is competing these days and that's exciting to be a part of."

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Smith admitted silverware is the ambition: "Playing for a team like Rangers, you want to be winning trophies.

“As a player, I've changed a lot since the last time I played in Scotland. I've experienced a lot, in a lot of different environments. I've been part of different teams in different situations. Coming back now, I have that leadership and experience that I can bring to Rangers and hopefully help bring silverware back to the club.

"For me, being in Scotland, I never got the chance to win the league and that is certainly a big ambition for me this season."

Preliminary Round Byes Aberdeen West End Bayside Ladies Central Ladies Cumnock Juniors Ladies Dalkeith Thistle Ladies Danderhall Miners WFC Drumchapel United Dundee West Edinburgh Uni Thistle Gleniffer Thistle Gretna FC Ladies & Girls HCF Women Houston Loanhead Ladies Ross County

Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup Preliminary Round One Aberdeen City Ladies v Jeanfield Swifts Alloa Athletic v Grampian Ladies Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Musselburgh Windsor Blairgowrie WFC v Penicuik Athletic Women Buckie Ladies v Stoneywood Parkvale FC Women Cumbernauld Colts v Arbroath FC Women Edinburgh Caledonia v Kilbirnie Ladeside Ladies Harmony Row WFC v Benburb WFC Linlithgow Rose CDC Ladies v Dumbarton FC Murieston United Women v Thornton Hibs Ladies Shetland Women v Stewarton Annick Ladies

Matches to be played on Sunday, 9 August.

Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup Preliminary Round Two Aberdeen City or Jeanfield Swifts v Loanhead Ladies Aberdeen West End v Shetland Women or Stewarton Annick Bayside Ladies v Drumchapel United Buckie Thistle or Stoneywood Parkvale v Blairgowrie or Penicuik Cumbernauld Colts or Arbroath v Linlithgow Rose or Dumbarton Cumnock Juniors v Ardrossan Winton Rovers or Musselburgh Windsor Dalkeith Thistle v Gretna FC Ladies & Girls Danderhall Miners WFC v Muirieston United or Thornton Hibs Ladies Dundee West v Ross County Edinburgh Uni Thistle v Edinburgh Caledonia FC or Kilbirnie Ladeside Gleniffer Thistle v Alloa Athletic or Grampian Ladies Harmony Row or Benburb v HCF Women Houston v Central Ladies

Matches to be played on Sunday, 30 August.