CELTIC take on Partick Thistle in the Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final at Firhill tomorrow afternoon.
The holders will be battling to reach the last-four draw which will be made immediately after the Maryhill encounter. Already in the ballot are St Mirren, Motherwell and Rangers.
The Paisley side were the first to book their place after dismissing Kilmarnock 5-3 on penalty-kicks following a 2-2 draw at Rugby Park last night.
They were joined by the Fir Park outfit who deservedly overcame under-fire Jimmy Thelin’s Dons 1-0 at Pittodrie this afternoon. The visitors, with on-loan Celt Stephen Welsh in fine form, controlled chunks of the game and the only goal from Regan Charles-Cook in the 73rd minute was a fitting matchwinner.
HAMPDEN HERO…Daizen Maeda proudly holds the League Cup after scoring the decisive penalty-kick last season.
The winger thundered a first-time 22-yard drive high past the helpless Dimitar Mitov for a memorable strike.
At Ibrox, two goals just before half-time from Nico Raskin and Bojan Miovski eased the pressure on Russell Martin at they overcame Hibs 2-0.
The Edinburgh side were denied an opening goal in the 18th minute after VAR adjudged Martin Boyle had handled before tucking a low shot beyond Jack Butland.
The veteran striker also passed up two wonderful opportunities in the opening 45 minutes as the Easter Road outfit failed to capitalise on the home team’s woes.
Tomorrow’s ballot will be televised live by Premier Sports who are beaming the Hoops’ tie against the Championship club live with a 3.30pm kick-off.
