What to look out for in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals

A long weekend of Premier Sports Cup action is in prospect and, for some, there is more than just a semi-final place at stake.

Rangers head coach Russell Martin, in particular, and Aberdeen counterpart Jimmy Thelin both desperately need a change in fortunes.

And Celtic's hierarchy would find themselves facing renewed criticism should Brendan Rodgers' holders and Scottish Premiership leaders slip up against second-tier Partick Thistle.

Here's what to look out for over the next three days.

There must be good odds on Kilmarnock's match with St Mirren at Rugby Park going all the way to penalties, given the sides have drawn five games each already this season.

It means their campaigns to date can be looked at either way, they are difficult sides to beat, but perhaps not performing as fluently as they would like.

St Mirren will arrive in better fettle after getting their first league win of the season at the weekend against Falkirk, off the back of the toughest opening fixtures of any side, including their gritty triumph on penalties over Hearts in the last round of the cup.

Kilmarnock, meanwhile, were denied a draw against Celtic thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho's controversial added-time penalty.

It was a first defeat in nine games for Stuart Kettlewell's side, but it also means their 2-1 win over Dundee United in the last 16 of the League Cup is their only win in their past six outings.

Kettlewell and St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson went head-to-head seven times when the former was at Motherwell, and they were never separated by more than one goal.

Saturday's two quarter-finals both feature a team facing a crisis against another riding on a high of critical acclaim.

Storm clouds have gathered above Ibrox early into Martin's reign, with the Union Bears fans group planning a protest before Saturday's visit by Hibernian after calling for the head coach and chief executive Patrick Stewart to be sacked with their side sitting third bottom of the Premiership.

Rangers' American chairman Andrew Cavenagh will reportedly attend after Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Hearts left Martin's side without a win in five outings since an unconvincing 4-2 defeat of third-tier Alloa Athletic in the previous round.

In his hour of need, will Martin recall Nicolas Raskin after saying the situation that led to the Belgium midfielder being dropped had been resolved but adding that the 24-year-old had to earn the trust of his team-mates and coaching staff?

Disjointed Rangers need all hands on deck if they are to beat Hibs for the first time in four meetings since a 1-0 victory at Ibrox almost exactly a year ago.

David Gray's side won 2-0 on their last visit in April and head to Glasgow unbeaten in three games, albeit the latest two have been draws, and sitting seven places above their hosts in the top flight.

Before that 17:45 kick-off, at 15:00, Motherwell visit an Aberdeen side who have consistently reached the latter stages of cup competitions in recent seasons, including lifting the Scottish Cup last term.

That, though, masked poor end-of-season league form and their only win in seven games this term has come away to second-tier Greenock Morton in the previous round of the League Cup.

Thelin's side sit bottom of the Premiership and have not scored in four league matches, which means fans at Pittodrie are growing restless while demanding an upturn in form.

Motherwell's style of play has been completely transformed by Jens Berthel Askou, with the Steelmen earning praise for their fluid, possession style which has lead to a 10-game unbeaten run to start the season.

The only problem is, they have drawn all five of their league games and needed extra time to see off St Johnstone in the last round, due to their inability to convert their dominance into goals.

Both sides could do with a win to kickstart their campaign properly.

Podcast: Weekend League Cup quarter-final preview

19/09/25

Every time Thistle are drawn against Celtic in knockout competition, especially the League Cup, fans are reminded of the Maryhill club's famous 4-1 win over their star-studded Parkhead counterparts in the final back in 1971.

Unfortunately for the Maryhill side, memories of that cup final success are fading year by year along with hopes that it might ever be repeated.

Whereas Celtic beat Rangers in last season's final to lift the trophy for the 22nd time, Thistle have not got beyond the quarter-finals since 1975, when they went on to lose to Sunday's opponents.

Overall, Celtic have not lost to their Glasgow rivals in 33 games since Thistle won 3-1 in the league back in 1995.

However, despite the weight of history there is optimism for Thistle and manager Mark Wilson.

They are unbeaten in five games, winning the past four after last Friday's 2-1 comeback win over Airdrieonians to sit third in the Championship.

They also catch the current Celtic side at a time of some uncharacteristic turmoil, with the board being subject to fan protests after an underwhelming summer transfer window and the players under scrutiny for a drop off in performances.

However, despite it all, Rodgers' Scottish champions remain unbeaten over 90 minutes in eight outings this season, their only loss being via the penalty shootout against Kairat Almaty that led to their failure to reach the Champions League.

Last Sunday's controversial penalty winner away to Kilmarnock, which restored Celtic at the top of the Premiership on goal difference, should also have lifted spirits.

Thistle head coach Mark Wilson knows all about cup success, having lifted the trophy as a player with Celtic in 2009, but it will be an even greater achievement if he can inflict only a second defeat in 19 League Cup games on Rodgers and deny the Northern Irishman the chance to win it for a fifth time as manager.