Derek McInnes finally broke his winless run as the new boss of Rangers, steering the Glasgow side to a commanding 5-1 triumph over the defending champions St Mirren and securing a place in the Scottish League Cup quarter‑finals. The victory sets up a high‑stakes clash with arch‑rivals Celtic later in the competition.
The match got off to an early start when Ryan Naderi, who was positioned ahead of captain Lawrence Shankland in the attacking line‑up, found the back of the net with his first goal since April. His strike gave Rangers an early foothold and was quickly followed by a spectacular long‑range effort from summer signing Vanja Dragojević, who volleyed the ball from outside the box to register his inaugural goal in a Rangers shirt.
St Mirren responded with a flash of brilliance of their own when Chris Mochrie unleashed a thunderous shot on the half‑hour mark, momentarily restoring belief among the visitors. However, the momentum soon swung back to the home side as the second half unfolded, and the Rangers began to dominate possession and create clear‑cut chances. Newly acquired midfielder James Penrice demonstrated his vision by setting up Djeidi Gassama for the third goal, then added a personal flourish by scoring his own goal in the 54th minute, marking an impressive debut for the club.
The Buddies’ woes were compounded when substitute Ross McCausland, making his first appearance for Rangers in 16 months, found the net shortly after Ivor Pandur had denied Killian Philipps from the penalty spot. In other fixtures, both Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian comfortably secured their spots in the next round, while a remarkable upset saw low‑league side Stenhousemuir eliminate last season’s semi‑finalists Motherwell. The dramatic extra‑time winner came from Euan O’Reilly, whose decisive strike propelled the Scottish Championship outfit into the last eight and extended manager Marvin Bartley’s unbeaten run to seven games at the helm of the Warriors. Fans can follow the Scottish Premiership action on their mobile devices and enjoy free highlights of the league’s most exciting moments.
At Tynecastle Park, Wouter Vrancken’s Hearts survived a nervous start against second‑tier Inverness Caledonian Thistle. After falling behind, the Edinburgh side turned the tide dramatically, scoring four late goals to seal a 6‑2 victory. The goals came from a potent quartet – Christian Borchgrevick, Rogers Mato, James Wilson and Claudio Braga – while makeshift left‑back Calvin Miller impressed with a brace, showcasing his adaptability and attacking instincts.
Meanwhile, across the city, David Gray’s Hibernian also edged past a Championship opponent. Owen Elding’s first‑half strike proved to be the difference as Hibs held on for a narrow win over Partick Thistle, ensuring their progression in the cup. Upcoming match‑ups in the competition include Stenhousemuir versus Heart of Midlothian, Ross County taking on Hibernian, and a classic Kilmarnock‑Aberdeen encounter, all of which promise further drama as clubs vie for a place in the semi‑finals. For those looking to add a bit of excitement to their viewing experience, the Super 6 promotion offers a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available to all participants.
The competition continues to draw attention as fans across Scotland and beyond follow the twists and turns of this season’s League Cup, where underdogs can still cause shocks and traditional powerhouses battle for supremacy.