Derek McInnes secured his inaugural triumph as the head coach of Rangers with a commanding 5-1 win over the defending champions St Mirren, a result that propelled the Glasgow side into the Scottish League Cup quarter‑finals where they will face their Old Firm rivals Celtic. The match opened brightly when Ryan Naderi, who was chosen ahead of captain Lawrence Shankland to spearhead the attack, netted his first goal since April, giving Rangers an early foothold. Not long after, summer acquisition Vanja Dragojević unleashed a spectacular long‑range volley that not only marked his first goal in a Rangers shirt but also underscored his technical prowess. The visitors responded in kind when Chris Mochrie struck a dazzling equaliser around the half‑hour mark, momentarily restoring balance to the contest.
However, the momentum soon swung decisively in Rangers' favour during the second half. New signing James Penrice displayed sharp vision by threading a clever pass to Djeidi Gassama, who added the third goal, before Penrice himself celebrated an impressive debut with a goal of his own in the 54th minute. The onslaught continued when substitute Ross McCausland, making his first appearance for Rangers in 16 months, found the net, further demoralising the home side. His strike came shortly after goalkeeper Ivor Pandur had thwarted a penalty attempt by Killian Philipps, adding another layer of drama to the encounter.
Beyond the Rangers fixture, the Scottish League Cup produced several other noteworthy storylines. Both Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian comfortably secured their places in the next round, reinforcing their status as the two dominant Edinburgh clubs in the competition. In a stunning twist, lower‑league side Stenhousemuir delivered a major upset by eliminating last season's semi‑finalists Motherwell, a result that shocked many pundits and fans alike. The dramatic climax came in extra time when Euan O'Reilly scored a decisive winner, ensuring the Scottish Championship outfit progressed to the last eight.
This victory also extended manager Marvin Bartley's impressive start at the helm of the Warriors to seven consecutive wins, highlighting his growing influence on the team. Meanwhile, at Tynecastle Park, Wouter Vrancken's Hearts overcame a nervous start against second‑tier Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
After falling behind, the Edinburgh side rallied spectacularly, scoring four late goals to secure a 6-2 triumph. The scoring sheet featured Christian Borchgrevick, Rogers Mato, James Wilson and Claudio Braga, each contributing to the dominant display.
Additionally, makeshift left‑back Calvin Miller added a brace, showcasing his versatility and attacking instincts. Across the city, David Gray's Hibernian also navigated a challenging fixture against Championship opposition. Owen Elding's first‑half strike proved the difference, allowing the Hibees to edge out Partick Thistle and move forward in the cup. The upcoming fixtures promise further excitement: Stenhousemuir will travel to face Heart of Midlothian, Ross County is set to meet Hibernian, and Kilmarnock will take on Aberdeen.
Fans can also participate in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win a £1 million prize, with free entry available. For those wanting to stay connected on the go, the Scottish Premiership can be streamed on mobile devices, and free highlights are available online, ensuring supporters never miss a moment of the action.