The Scottish League Cup produced a series of decisive results on Tuesday, delivering four clubs into the last eight of the competition. Celtic, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Ross County all secured their places in the quarter‑finals, each with a different story to tell, while other hopefuls were left to rue missed opportunities.
Celtic opened the night with a dominant performance at Tannadice Park, where they dispatched Dundee United 4‑0. The win not only affirmed the club’s status as one of the tournament favourites but also marked the first senior goal for Colombian forward Camilo Duran. The opening strike came after a well‑executed corner from Benjamin Nygren; Auston Trusty rose to meet the delivery and headed the ball across the six‑yard box, where Duran pounced and slotted it home.
The early lead set the tone for the rest of the match. The second goal arrived in quick succession when Sebastian Tounekti, a young winger, cut inside from the left and fired a low, precise shot into the bottom corner, leaving the United goalkeeper with no chance. Nygren, who had been a constant threat on the flanks, capped the half‑hour by curling a shot from just outside the penalty area into the top corner, completing a comfortable half‑time lead for the Glasgow side. The second half saw Celtic introduce two of their newest signings, midfielder Mika Baur and forward Haissem Hassan, both of whom made their competitive debuts.
Their inclusion was a strategic move by manager Brendan Rodgers, who wanted to give the newcomers a taste of the intensity that awaits them in the upcoming Champions League qualifier against LASK at Celtic Park. Both players showed promise, linking well with the established attack and adding fresh energy to the side. Meanwhile, at Pittodrie, Aberdeen delivered a clinical 3‑0 victory over Dundee, thanks largely to the brilliance of captain Kevin Nisbet. Nisbet struck twice, first in the 51st minute and again in the 63rd, both times finding the back of the net with composure and power.
Between his two goals, substitute Mitchy Ntelo made an immediate impact, netting his first goal for the Dons shortly after coming on. The result was made more significant by Dundee’s misfortune; their captain and striker Simon Murray suffered a knee injury early in the second half, forcing him off the pitch and weakening the visitors’ attacking options. Aberdeen’s win secured their progression to the quarter‑final draw, which will be held on Sunday.
In the lower‑division drama, League One side Ross County produced a stunning upset by beating Dunfermline Athletic 2‑1. The match was tightly contested, with Dunfermline taking the lead early in the second half through Liam Lindsay. County responded quickly, with Allan Oyirworth finding the net to level the scores with just ten minutes remaining.
However, the decisive moment came in the 85th minute when Richard Chin, who had been a constant threat on the edge of the box, struck a powerful shot that flew past the goalkeeper to seal the win. The victory propelled Ross County into the quarter‑finals, where they will join the other three Scottish clubs that have already booked their places.
Kilmarnock’s journey to the last eight was perhaps the most dramatic of the night. Facing their Ayrshire rivals Ayr United, the Killie side fell behind early when Owen Stirton headed in a well‑placed cross to give the hosts the advantage. Joe Hugill responded almost immediately, equalising with a composed finish.
The match seemed destined for extra time when Ross Taylor delivered a sublime strike that put Kilmarnock ahead, only for Michael Schjonning‑Larsen to answer with an impressive solo effort, restoring parity at 2‑2 with ten minutes left on the clock. The decisive moment arrived in the dying minutes of regular time when Nicky Clescenco, a young forward who had been relatively quiet throughout the game, displayed remarkable poise.
After Ayr United’s goalkeeper Harry Stone spilled a deep cross into the box, Clescenco calmly dinked the ball over the keeper and into the net, clinching a 3‑2 victory for Kilmarnock. The win not only snapped a run of back‑to‑back defeats for the club but also ensured their place in the quarter‑finals, where they will look to build on the momentum generated by this dramatic comeback. Overall, the round of 16 produced a mixture of expected triumphs and surprising upsets.
Celtic’s comfortable win reinforced their status as a heavyweight in Scottish football, while Aberdeen’s efficient display highlighted their ambition to challenge for silverware. Ross County’s upset over a higher‑division opponent reminded fans that the cup can produce unexpected results, and Kilmarnock’s last‑minute heroics provided a thrilling narrative that will be remembered for weeks. The quarter‑final draw, scheduled for Sunday, will set the stage for the next phase of the competition, with each club now looking ahead to the challenges that await them as they strive to lift the coveted trophy.