The Scottish League Cup produced a busy evening of football, with four clubs securing their places in the last eight. Celtic demonstrated their class with a dominant 4-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice Park, while Aberdeen dispatched Dundee 3-0 at Pittodrie. In the lower divisions, Kilmarnock edged Ayr United 3-2 in a dramatic comeback, and League One side Ross County pulled off a surprise 2-1 victory against Dunfermline to claim the final quarter‑final berth.
Celtic’s performance was highlighted by the debut goal of Colombian forward Camilo Duran, who opened the scoring after a well‑executed corner from Benjamin Nygren was headed by Auston Trusty into the box. Trusty’s header created the space for Duran to slot the ball past the United goalkeeper, giving the visitors an early advantage.
The visitors continued to press, and Sebastian Tounekti added a low‑driven finish that found the bottom corner, further unsettling the home side. Nygren himself capped the first‑half onslaught with a curling effort from the edge of the area, sealing a comfortable lead for the Glasgow giants.
The match also saw the first senior appearances for two recent signings, Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan, who were introduced in the second half as Celtic prepared for their upcoming Champions League qualifier against LASK at Celtic Park. Both youngsters showed composure on the ball, hinting at the depth of talent that manager Brendan Rodgers has assembled for the campaign ahead. Over in Aberdeen, captain Kevin Nisbet proved why he is one of the club’s most reliable goal‑scorers, netting a brace in the 51st and 63rd minutes.
His first strike came from a well‑timed run into the box, while the second was a clinical finish after a quick one‑two with a midfield partner. Between Nisbet’s goals, substitute Mitchy Ntelo celebrated his first senior goal, adding to the Dons’ tally and ensuring a 3-0 rout. Dundee’s efforts were hampered by an early injury to their captain and forward Simon Murray, who suffered a knee problem in the first half and was forced to leave the field, leaving the visitors short‑handed and unable to mount a serious challenge. In the lower‑league encounter, Ross County produced a shock result that will be remembered by their supporters for some time.
After falling behind to a second‑half goal from Liam Lindsay, the Highland club rallied thanks to a late strike from Richard Chin. The game had seemed level when Allan Oyirworth equalised for Dunfermline with ten minutes remaining, but Chin’s 85th‑minute finish restored County’s lead and secured a 2-1 win. The victory propelled the League One side into the quarter‑final draw, where they will join the more established clubs. Kilmarnock’s path to the last eight was far from straightforward.
The Ayrshire side entered the match after two consecutive defeats and found themselves trailing early when Owen Stirton gave Ayr United the lead with a sharp volley. Joe Hugill quickly restored parity for the visitors, but Ross Taylor then delivered a brilliant finish that seemed to put Kilmarnock back in control. However, Michael Schjonning‑Larsen answered with a solo effort that leveled the score at 2-2 with just ten minutes left on the clock.
The match appeared destined for extra time when the dead‑heat persisted, but Nicky Clescenco displayed nerves of steel, calmly finishing a spilled cross from Ayr goalkeeper Harry Stone to clinch a 3-2 victory. The win not only ended Killie’s recent slump but also secured their place in the quarter‑finals. Overall, the round of sixteen produced a mix of expected results and surprising upsets. Celtic’s clinical display reaffirmed their status as title contenders, while Aberdeen’s efficient win highlighted their ambition to challenge for silverware.
Ross County’s upset over Dunfermline underscored the unpredictable nature of cup football, and Kilmarnock’s dramatic comeback showcased the resilience required to progress in knockout competitions. The quarter‑final draw, set for Sunday, will now determine the next set of match‑ups as these four clubs prepare for the next hurdle in the Scottish League Cup journey.