Derek McInnes secured his inaugural triumph as the head coach of Rangers with a resounding 5-1 win over defending champions St Mirren, propelling the Glasgow side into the quarter‑final stage of the Scottish League Cup. The victory sets up a high‑stakes clash with arch‑rivals Celtic in the next round. The match began with a surprising tactical decision: Ryan Naderi, positioned ahead of team captain Lawrence Shankland, found the back of the net for the first time since April, giving Rangers an early lead. Shortly after, summer acquisition Vanja Dragojević unleashed a spectacular long‑range volley, his maiden goal in a Rangers shirt, that left the St Mirren goalkeeper grasping at thin air.
St Mirren responded on the half‑hour mark when Chris Mochrie struck a dazzling shot that seemed to hint at a possible comeback. However, the visitors could not sustain the momentum, and Rangers began to dominate the second half with a series of incisive attacks.
New signing James Penrice displayed his vision by threading a clever pass to Djeidi Gassama, who tucked away the third goal for the home side. Penrice then capped an impressive debut by scoring himself in the 54th minute, further widening the gap. The Buddies’ woes deepened when substitute Ross McCausland, making his first appearance for Rangers in 16 months, found the net, adding another tally to the scoreboard.
His goal came only moments after Ivor Pandur, the Rangers keeper, had denied Killian Philipps from the penalty spot, showcasing the defensive solidity of the visitors. In other fixtures, both Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian secured their places in the next round, while Stenhousemuir delivered a stunning upset by eliminating last season’s semi‑finalists Motherwell.
The Scottish Championship side earned their spot in the last eight thanks to a dramatic extra‑time winner from Euan O’Reilly, reinforcing manager Marvin Bartley’s unbeaten run of seven matches since taking charge of the Warriors. Fans were reminded to check the Sky platform for live coverage of the Scottish Premiership on mobile devices, and a free highlights reel was also promoted for those who missed the action. At Tynecastle, Wouter Vrancken’s Hearts overcame a nervous start against second‑tier Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
After conceding an early goal, the Edinburgh club rallied spectacularly, netting four late goals to seal a 6‑2 triumph. The scoring sheet featured Christian Borchgrevick, Rogers Mato, James Wilson and Claudio Braga, while makeshift left‑back Calvin Miller, playing out of position, grabbed a brace, underscoring his versatility and attacking instincts.
Across the city, David Gray’s Hibernian also edged past a Championship opponent. Owen Elding’s first‑half strike proved decisive against Partick Thistle, ensuring the Hibees progressed comfortably.
The upcoming fixtures include Stenhousemuir versus Heart of Midlothian, Ross County against Hibernian, and Kilmarnock meeting Aberdeen. These matches will further shape the latter stages of the competition. For those looking to add a bit of extra excitement, a Super 6 promotion offers a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available to all participants. This incentive adds an additional layer of engagement for fans following the tournament’s developments.
Overall, the round of sixteen delivered a blend of expected results and surprising twists. Rangers’ dominant display not only gave manager Derek McInnes a confidence‑boosting first win but also set the stage for a classic Old Firm encounter.
Meanwhile, the underdog story of Stenhousemuir reminded everyone that cup football retains its unpredictable charm, as smaller clubs can still topple established sides with determination and a bit of luck. The competition now moves into its quarter‑final phase, promising more drama, high‑quality football, and the occasional upset that keeps supporters on the edge of their seats.