Premier Sports Cup Quarter Final preview

Today, I’ll be previewing the quarter final of the Scottish League Cup, or as it’s also known, the Premier Sports Cup. Eight teams remain and will be competing for a place at Hampden in the semi finals in November. There are four matches over two nights and for each, I’ll talk about each team, give a player to watch and a score prediction. Let’s waste no more time and commence. 

Dundee v St. Johnstone 

Last season’s cup double winners travel to Dundee on Wednesday evening to take on James McPake’s side. Both of these teams experienced contrasting results in their previous fixtures with St. Johnstone winning at Pittodrie while Dundee were bitterly defeated by their city rivals. Dens Park is the venue on Wednesday evening, 7.45pm is the kick off time. 

The hosts were beaten by city rivals Dundee United by a goal to nil at Tannadice on Sunday. The Dee haplessly didn’t take anything from the game; some exceptional United defending towards the latter stages denied them. Dundee currently occupy bottom place in the Scottish Premiership and have yet to win a game in the league this season. Their only victory in their last seven came in the last 16 of this tournament when Motherwell were beaten 1-0 thanks to a Lee Ashcroft goal. Progression against St. Johnstone would patently be welcomed by James McPake ahead of Rangers’ visit to Dens Park on Saturday. 

The visitors are just off the back of their first competitive 90 minute victory this season. Yes, they got to this stage of the tournament by defeating Arbroath in the last 16 but that game went to penalties after a two all draw after extra time. The Perth Sainties were resolute against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday afternoon and took their chance when Stevie May’s accurate effort from outside the box beat Joe Lewis. This result is just the one the holders needed, one would feel. It could undoubtedly galvanise Callum Davidson’s side going into the quarter finals of the League Cup. I believe St. Johnstone will carry the momentum of Saturday’s victory into their League Cup tie at Dens on Wednesday. 

One to Watch - Stevie May

The Scot scored his 50th goal in St. Johnstone colours at the weekend against one of his former clubs, Aberdeen. May came off the bench to achieve this feat which won St. Johnstone all three points in the granite city. The 28 year old will surely start on Wednesday evening and he may come to the fore once again. 

Score prediction: Dundee 1-3 St. Johnstone 

Rangers v Livingston 

Rangers dropped points against Motherwell at Ibrox on Sunday and that is the venue on Wednesday evening. This same fixture was played on the opening day of the Scottish Premiership season and the home side ran out 3-0 winners. I wouldn’t be staggered if the outcome in midweek is similar. 

Rangers were knocked out of the competition at this stage last season although they are expected to go one step further, and possibly even more, this year. The Gers dropped points at home in the league for the first time since February 2020 on Sunday when Motherwell earned a point at Ibrox. Steven Gerrard will aim to eclipse the disappointment of flag day with progression to the semi finals of the League Cup and earn Rangers a place at Hampden for the first time since December 2019. The Premiership leaders convincingly won by five goals to nil in the last 16, albeit against Championship opposition in Dunfermline. Rangers are overriding favourites in this tie despite Livingston’s recent win over the Gers’ city rivals. 

I may be being slightly harsh on Livingston after their colossal victory against Celtic but a lot of that was down to the venue, one would think; even manager David Martindale admitted the plastic pitch played a part. Before this game, the Lions had just three victories in normal time this season, all of which came in this competition. Livingston put St. Mirren to the sword on penalties in the last 16 to earn their place in this stage. A trip to Ibrox was

perhaps the toughest draw the West Lothian side could’ve received although after their afore mentioned win over Celtic, Livingston will be high on confidence and hoping to produce another shock. 

One to Watch: Joe Aribo

The Nigerian was heavily involved against Motherwell and should’ve had more than just an assist to his name. Aribo was awarded man of the match for his eye catching display. The 25 year old is one of the most nailed players in the Rangers team having played 934 minutes of competitive action this season so far. Aribo will add to this on Wednesday and possibly his goal tally furthermore. 

Score prediction: Rangers 2-0 Livingston

Celtic v Raith Rovers 

The last time the two sides met was in this very competition but in 2015. Celtic ran out 2-0 winners at Parkhead with Kris Commons and Stefan Johansen bagging the goals that day. The Hoops would be content with a similar result on Thursday evening however Raith Rovers are aspiring to put Celtic to the sword for the first time since the 1994/95 Scottish League Cup final; a match which Raith won 6-5 on penalties. This also remains the club’s single major trophy. 

Celtic come into this one after a disappointing loss to Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena. Despite this loss, we’ve seen already this season how Celtic are a different animal at home. The Hoops knocked out Hearts in the previous round and this could be just the fixture the Hoops need to get back to winning ways ahead of a crucial run of fixtures in which they play Dundee United, Bayer Leverkusen and Aberdeen. 

The visitors are doubtlessly, and probably justifiably, the team that have been given the slimmest chance of progression to the semi finals. Raith Rovers are the only non-Premiership side remaining in the tournament but they did conjure up a shock result against Aberdeen in the last 16. The Kirkcaldy club have only lost one of their last five and their most recent victory came at Cappielow on Saturday when they beat Greenock Morton by a goal to nil. Dario Zanatta got the winner that day and the 24 year old is Raith Rovers’ danger man, scoring 5 goals so far this season. John McGlynn’s men currently occupy 5th place in the Championship table and have conceded just one goal in their last five matches but I expect the quality and eminence of Celtic to be too much for them on Thursday. 

One to Watch: Jota

The Portuguese fundamentally has the left wing spot to himself, without ample competition, however Jota has yet to get on the scoresheet for Celtic. This match provides the Benfica loanee with the perfect opportunity to open his account and bring his characteristic trickery to the fore at Celtic Park against lower opposition.  

Score prediction: Celtic 4-0 Raith Rovers

Dundee United v Hibernian 

One of the most evenly matched ties of the round will be played in Dundee on Thursday evening. Hibs have lost just one game in all competitions this season and the Arabs are off the back of their first top flight win over city rivals Dundee since 2015. It promises to be an immersive match up at Tannadice. 

We’ve already witnessed how Dundee United have been resolute defensively this season. The likes of Charlie Mulgrew and Ryan Edwards will have an eventful evening on Thursday, attempting to keep the likes of Martin Boyle and Kevin Nisbet at bay. In spite of their admirable league form, Dundee United snuck through to the quarter finals via a penalty shootout with Ayr United. The tangerines have had some splendid victories this season against sides such as Rangers and St. Johnstone yet have failed to arrest when they played Aberdeen and Hearts. It will be another stiff test for Thomas Courts and his side on Thursday but one in which they could relish. 

The Hibees got here by comfortably defeating Kilmarnock by two goals to nil. As alluded to previously, Hibs have lost just one game this season. That came in the Europa Conference League qualifiers to Rijeka. The Leith club are unbeaten domestically but have drawn three of their six league matches. The most recent was at Easter Road on Saturday when St. Mirren equalised late on to pick up a point. Hibs though, reached the semi final of this competition last season along with making the final of the Scottish Cup. The Hibees will have real aspirations to reach Hampden for the fourth time in two seasons. It will be an even tie but Hibs’ quality in the final third may assist them in slightly edging this one. 

One to Watch: Scott Allan 

The 29 year old was brought on as a half time substitute against St. Mirren at the weekend and made an impact, setting up Paul McGinn with a sublime cross. Allan also ended up creating the most chances in this match, manufacturing six opportunities for his teammates to score. The former Dundee man may not start against his former club although the attack minded midfielder has two assists from the bench this season, proving he can still effect the game nonetheless. 

Score prediction: Dundee United 1-2 Hibernian

The draw for the semi finals of the competition will be held on Thursday evening and will conclude the two fixtures of that night. The semis themselves will take place on the weekend of the 20th/21st of November.

Thank you for reading this article. If you have any opinions or thoughts, leave a comment below. Also, get in touch with me on Twitter @Josh_Footblog where likes, re-tweets and follows are greatly appreciated.