The Scottish League Cup produced a series of decisive results on Tuesday, with Celtic cruising into the quarter‑final stage after a commanding 4‑0 triumph at Dundee United’s Tannadice Park. The win secured the Glasgow side’s place in the draw that will be held on Sunday. Meanwhile, Aberdeen put away Dundee 3‑0 at Pittodrie, Kilmarnock edged a dramatic 3‑2 victory over local rivals Ayr United, and surprising League One outfit Ross County upset Dunfermline 2‑1 to claim the final spot in the last eight.
Celtic’s performance was highlighted by the debut goal of Colombian forward Camilo Duran, who opened the scoring after a well‑executed set‑piece. A corner delivered by Benjamin Nygren was met by Auston Trusty, whose header flicked the ball across the box where Duran timed his run perfectly and slotted it home. The early lead set the tone for the rest of the match, and the visitors never looked back.
The second goal arrived shortly before the interval when Sebastian Tounekti, the young winger, cut in from the left and fired a low, precise shot into the bottom corner. Nygren added a third, curling a strike from the edge of the penalty area that left the United goalkeeper stranded. The final tally came from a late cameo by new signings Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan, both of whom made their first appearance for Celtic ahead of the club’s upcoming Champions League qualifier against LASK at Celtic Park.
Their introduction underlined manager Brendan Rodgers’ intent to rotate the squad while maintaining a high level of intensity. Aberdeen’s 3‑0 win over Dundee was anchored by captain Kevin Nisbet, who delivered a brace that effectively sealed the Dons’ progression.
Nisbet struck first in the 51st minute, finding the net with a powerful finish after a quick transition. He doubled his tally twelve minutes later, demonstrating his poacher’s instinct inside the box.
In between his two goals, substitute Mitchy Ntelo celebrated his debut goal, adding a further cushion to the scoreline. Dundee’s efforts were hampered by the loss of their captain and striker Simon Murray, who suffered a knee injury midway through the first half and was forced to leave the field. The injury not only weakened Dundee’s attacking options but also disrupted their defensive organization, allowing Aberdeen to dominate the second half and secure a comfortable passage to the quarter‑finals.
In the lower‑division clash, Ross County produced a classic under‑dog story by overturning a one‑goal deficit to defeat Dunfermline 2‑1. The match was balanced until the 68th minute when Richard Chin, a rising talent in the County ranks, unleashed a powerful strike that found the back of the net, leveling the score after Liam Lindsay had given Dunfermline the lead earlier in the second half.
The decisive moment arrived in the 85th minute when Allan Oyirworth, who had already equalised for the Pars earlier, saw his effort rebound off the goalkeeper and into the net, clinching the win for Ross County. Their victory not only shocked the higher‑division opposition but also secured a place in the quarter‑final draw scheduled for Sunday. Kilmarnock’s path to the last eight was perhaps the most dramatic of the evening. Facing Ayr United at Rugby Park, the Ayrshire side fell behind early when Owen Stirton unleashed a thunderous volley that left the Kilmarnock keeper with no chance.
However, the visitors responded quickly; Joe Hugill restored parity with a well‑placed finish. The match seemed poised for a stalemate until Ross Taylor, displaying composure beyond his years, curled a sublime effort into the top corner, giving Kilmarnock a 2‑1 advantage and igniting the home crowd.
Ayr United, refusing to surrender, fought back and found an equaliser through Michael Schjonning‑Larsen, who dribbled past several defenders before slotting home from close range, sending the game into the final ten minutes at 2‑2. With the clock winding down, the outcome hung in the balance.
In the 88th minute, Nicky Clescenco, the Kilmarnock striker, displayed remarkable calm under pressure. A deep cross from the right wing was mishandled by Ayr goalkeeper Harry Stone, and Clescenco pounced, gently dinking the ball into the empty net to complete a remarkable comeback. The goal sparked celebrations among the Kilmarnock faithful and ensured the club’s progression to the quarter‑finals, ending a recent run of back‑to‑back defeats. These four results set the stage for an exciting quarter‑final round in the Scottish League Cup, with Celtic, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Ross County all eager to continue their cup runs.
The upcoming draw on Sunday will determine the match‑ups, and fans can look forward to high‑stakes encounters as the competition moves deeper into its knockout phase. For those unable to watch live, highlights of the Scottish Premiership and the League Cup are available on various streaming platforms, ensuring that supporters can relive the key moments, from Duran’s debut strike to Clescenco’s last‑gasp winner, at their convenience.