Derek McInnes finally broke his winless streak as the new boss of Rangers by guiding his side to a commanding 5-1 triumph over the defending champions St Mirren, securing a place in the Scottish League Cup quarter‑finals where they will face their arch‑rivals Celtic. The match opened brightly for the visitors when Ryan Naderi, who was deployed ahead of the club captain Lawrence Shankland, 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 recent signing Vanja Dragojevic, who volleyed the ball from outside the box to register his inaugural goal in a Rangers shirt. St Mirren attempted a response when Chris Mochrie unleashed a thunderous shot on the half‑hour mark that looked to level the score, but the Scottish Premiership side continued to dominate possession and created numerous chances in the second half.
New addition James Penrice demonstrated his vision by threading a clever pass to Djeidi Gassama for the third goal, and shortly after, Penrice himself added his own tally in the 54th minute, marking an impressive debut for the club. The pressure on St Mirren intensified when substitute Ross McCausland, making his first appearance for Rangers in 16 months, found the net, further extending the lead.
His goal came only moments after goalkeeper Ivor Pandur had made a crucial save to deny Killian Philipps from the penalty spot, highlighting the defensive resilience of the visitors. By the final whistle, the scoreline reflected a comprehensive victory that not only lifted the spirits of the Rangers faithful but also set up an eagerly anticipated showdown with Celtic in the next round.
In other fixtures, both Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian secured comfortable progressions, while a remarkable upset saw low‑league side Stenhousemuir eliminate last season’s semi‑finalists Motherwell. The dramatic twist unfolded in extra time when Euan O'Reilly struck the winning goal, sending the Scottish Championship outfit into the last eight and extending manager Marvin Bartley’s unbeaten run to seven games in charge of the Warriors.
The excitement continued at Tynecastle Park, where Wouter Vrancken’s Hearts survived a nervous start against second‑tier Inverness Caledonian Thistle. After conceding early, the home side rallied spectacularly, scoring four rapid goals to turn a precarious 2‑1 deficit into a convincing 6‑2 victory. Goals came from Christian Borchgrevick, Rogers Mato, James Wilson and Claudio Braga, while makeshift left‑back Calvin Miller impressed by netting a brace, showcasing his versatility and attacking instincts. Across the city, David Gray’s Hibernian also managed to edge past a Championship opponent.
Owen Elding’s first‑half strike proved decisive as Hibs held on to claim a hard‑earned win over Partick Thistle, adding another Scottish Premiership side to the list of clubs progressing to the quarter‑final stage. The round of sixteen also featured fixtures such as Stenhousemuir versus Heart of Midlothian, Ross County against Hibernian, and Kilmarnock taking on Aberdeen, each offering its own narrative of ambition, surprise and tactical intrigue. Fans were reminded that the competition remains open, with any team capable of producing a shock result, as demonstrated by Stenhousemuir’s triumph over Motherwell. Beyond the on‑field action, supporters were encouraged to stay connected with the Scottish Premiership through mobile platforms, with options to watch live matches and free highlight reels.
The league also promoted its Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win a £1 million prize, emphasizing the blend of sport and entertainment that continues to engage audiences throughout Scotland. Overall, the latest round of the Scottish League Cup has delivered a mixture of dominant performances, unexpected upsets, and individual brilliance. Rangers have re‑asserted their status as a powerhouse under McInnes, Hearts and Hibs have demonstrated depth and resilience, and Stenhousemuir’s giant‑killing act serves as a reminder that in cup football, the underdog can always have its day.
The upcoming quarter‑finals promise further drama, especially the looming Celtic‑Rangers clash, which will likely become one of the season’s marquee events.