Derek McInnes finally broke his winless run 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 fierce rivals Celtic. The victory not only marked McInnes's inaugural success but also underscored Rangers' attacking depth and tactical flexibility. The match opened with a surprise selection: Ryan Naderi, who was deployed ahead of the regular captain Lawrence Shankland, took the lead in the scoring. Naderi, who had not found the net since April, struck the ball home to give Rangers an early advantage.
The excitement grew when summer acquisition Vanja Dragojevic, making his first appearance in a Rangers shirt, unleashed a breathtaking long‑range volley that curled into the top corner, marking his debut goal for the club. St Mirren responded promptly.
On the half‑hour mark, Chris Mochrie produced a spectacular effort of his own, curling a shot that forced the Rangers goalkeeper into a difficult save. Despite the momentary flash of brilliance from the visitors, Rangers began to dominate the second half, dictating possession and creating chance after chance. Mid‑second‑half, newly signed James Penrice demonstrated his vision by delivering a clever pass to Djeidi Gassama, who slotted home the third goal. Penrice then capped his impressive debut with a personal strike in the 54th minute, further extending the lead.
The Buddies' frustration deepened when substitute Ross McCausland, making his first appearance for Rangers in 16 months, found the net shortly after Ivor Pandur, the Rangers goalkeeper, had denied Killian Philipps from the penalty spot. Elsewhere in the competition, the Edinburgh derby clubs Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian also secured progression, while an unexpected twist unfolded in the form of Stenhousemuir.
The low‑league side produced a stunning upset, eliminating last season's semi‑finalists Motherwell from the cup. Euan O'Reilly became the hero of the night, netting a dramatic extra‑time winner that sent the Scottish Championship outfit into the last eight. The win also extended manager Marvin Bartley's unbeaten start with the Warriors to seven matches, highlighting his growing reputation. In the Scottish Premiership, Tynecastle hosted a thrilling encounter against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, a second‑tier side that had given the home team a scare.
Rangers recovered from an early deficit to unleash a flurry of late goals, ultimately winning 6-2. The goal‑scoring spree featured Christian Borchgrevick, Rogers Mato, James Wilson and Claudio Braga, each finding the net. Meanwhile, makeshift left‑back Calvin Miller, playing out of position, impressed by bagging a brace, showcasing his adaptability and attacking instincts.
Across the city, David Gray's Hibernian side also managed to edge past a Championship opponent. Owen Elding's first‑half strike proved decisive against Partick Thistle, giving the Hibees a narrow but comfortable victory that keeps their cup hopes alive. The upcoming fixtures promise further drama: Stenhousemuir will travel to face Heart of Midlothian, Ross County will host Hibernian, and Kilmarnock will meet Aberdeen. Fans can also look forward to the Super 6 competition, where a £1 million prize is up for grabs, with free entry available for participants.
For supporters who prefer mobile viewing, the Scottish Premiership can be streamed on smartphones, and free highlights are readily accessible online. The League Cup continues to deliver excitement, surprise upsets, and high‑scoring affairs, reinforcing its status as one of Scotland's most beloved football tournaments.