Celtic ease into League Cup quarters – Aberdeen, Kilmarnock & Ross Co also through

Celtic, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Ross County all booked their places in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, setting up a weekend of drama before Sunday’s draw. The four wins – two in the Premiership, one in the Championship and one from League One – ensured a spread of clubs will contest the last eight, with the ties to be decided over the coming weeks. The results also provided early indications of form ahead of the Premiership title race, where Celtic will face stiff competition from Rangers, Hearts and potentially Aberdeen if they can sustain their momentum.

Celtic cruise past Dundee United to set up quarter-final clash

Celtic eased past Dundee United 4-0 at Tannadice Park, with Camilo Duran scoring his first goal for the club in the process. The Colombian striker fired home after Auston Trusty headed in from Benjamin Nygren’s 17th-minute corner, before Nygren curled in from the edge of the box to double the lead in the 34th minute. Sebastian Tounekti then added a third in the 58th minute, completing a comfortable victory that sends Brendan Rodgers’ side into the quarter-final draw with a performance that underlined their title credentials.

The result came ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier against LASK, with new signings Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan making their debuts from the bench. The win keeps Celtic on course for another domestic cup run, though the focus now shifts to European football and the Premiership title race, where a strong squad rotation policy will be crucial given their congested fixture list.

Aberdeen and Kilmarnock advance, Ross County stun Dunfermline

Aberdeen secured a 3-0 win over Dundee at Pittodrie, with captain Kevin Nisbet scoring twice in a 12-minute spell after the break – his 51st and 63rd-minute strikes – and Mitchy Ntelo grabbing his first goal for the club in between. The Dons dominated after the interval, with Dundee’s cause further hindered by the loss of captain and striker Simon Murray to a knee injury in the 57th minute, a blow that left them toothless in attack. James McPake’s side will now prepare for a quarter-final tie that could offer a platform to build on their recent upturn in form.

Kilmarnock came from behind to beat Ayr United 3-2, with Nicky Clescenco scoring a dramatic 89th-minute winner after Killie had fallen behind early on when Owen Stirton volleyed home from a set piece. The victory follows two consecutive defeats for Steve Clarke’s side, who will now look to carry this momentum into their quarter-final tie as they seek to end their winless streak.

In the Championship, League One Ross County pulled off a shock 2-1 win over Dunfermline. Liam Lindsay put County ahead after the break, but Allan Oyirworth equalised for the Pars with just 10 minutes remaining. Richard Chin then smashed the ball into the net in the 85th minute to secure County’s place in Sunday’s quarter-final draw, a result that serves as a timely reminder that in cup football, lower-league clubs can still spring surprises.

What the results mean for the tournament and beyond

The League Cup quarter-finals now feature a mix of Premiership heavyweights and lower-league outsiders, with the draw set to take place on Sunday. Celtic’s emphatic win suggests they remain favourites, but Aberdeen and Kilmarnock will push for a deep run, while Ross County’s shock result proves that cup football remains unpredictable. The inclusion of a League One side in the last eight also raises the possibility of a David vs Goliath tie in the next round, which could attract significant attention.

For Celtic, the focus will soon shift to Europe, but a strong domestic cup showing could provide valuable squad minutes for fringe players. Aberdeen, meanwhile, will look to build on their momentum and use this as a springboard for a sustained push in the league, while Kilmarnock aim to end their winless streak and rediscover the form that saw them challenge for a European spot last season. Ross County’s progression is a reminder that in cup football, anything is possible, and their next opponents will have to approach the tie with caution.

The quarter-finals promise intriguing ties, with the potential for underdog stories and high-stakes encounters. One thing is certain: the League Cup is far from over, and the next round could deliver more surprises. With the draw set for Sunday, the stage is now set for another compelling chapter in the competition, where every tie will carry its own narrative and stakes.