THE Betfred Cup quarter-finals got underway last night with Rangers seeing off Queen of the South 5-0 at Ibrox and Morton dumping Dundee United out of the competition with a 2-1 home victory.
A new champion of the recently revamped tournament is guaranteed after holders Ross County exited in the group stage.
There is still League One representation in the competition, as table-topping Alloa Athletic face a daunting trip to Celtic Park tonight to face the reigning Premiership champions.
Read more: Football on TV: Where to watch Celtic, Real Madrid and Manchester United tonight
Aberdeen will host St Johnstone on Thursday in the only all-Premiership affair of the last eight after Inverness, Partick Thistle, Hamilton Accies, Hearts and Motherwell were all dumped out in the last 16.
In addition to the newly introduced group stages, the League Cup’s calendar has been shifted forward and the tournament will now be decided with a final on 27 November.
Here we refresh your memory on the story so far for the four teams in action over the next two evenings as they eye a semi-final spot...
Celtic vs Alloa Athletic
Wednesday 21 September, 19:45, BT Sport 1
Celtic
The Bhoys were given a bye into the last 16 as they kept their attention on Champions League qualifying commitments in July.
As a result, Brendan Rodgers’ side have only had to overcome one opponent to reach the quarter-finals – Premiership rivals Motherwell.
They did so in emphatic fashion, putting five past the Steelmen at Celtic Park as Tom Rogic and Moussa Dembele both notched braces.
The Hoops will now be under pressure to avoid what would be a momentous upset against Alloa as they aim to improve on last season’s run to the semi-final that was ended by eventual champions Ross County.
Alloa Athletic
Jack Ross’ charges supplied the shock of the group stages by winning all four of their games and knocking out defending champions Ross County.
The Wasps embarked on an incredible 10-match winning streak after their opening day 4-0 win against Highland League outfit Cove Rangers, which included a 3-2 win over the Staggies and a 1-0 away victory at Championship Raith Rovers.
Their giant-killing run continued into the last 16, where Inverness Caley Thistle were sent packing from Recreation Park with their tails between their legs after a 1-0 defeat.
Alloa were finally beaten for the first time since March two weeks ago when they suffered defeat against Livingston, but will be eyeing what would be one of the club’s greatest ever results when they take to the Parkhead turf later.
Aberdeen vs St Johnstone
Thursday 22 September, 19:45, BT Sport 1
Aberdeen
The Dons, like Celtic, were busy attempting to reach the Europa League group stages when the Betfred Cup kicked off and were given a bye as last season’s Premiership runners-up.
Derek McInnes will have an eye on Sunday’s crucial Premiership clash against Rangers, but must first negotiate a way past a Saints side they failed to break down in an opening day 0-0 league draw.
The Dons made it into the last eight thanks to a 2-1 away win against Ayr United at Somerset Park, when an early own goal by Daryll Meggatt and Niall McGinn strike were enough to squeeze them through.
Extra motivation for tonight’s clash will come from the disappointment of last season, when the Dons were dumped out by Hibernian in the third round.
St Johnstone
Saints topped their group with three wins and a draw in July, seeing off the challenge of Championship outfit Falkirk with a 3-0 win.
A dramatic last 16 tie against fellow top-flight side Hearts followed, with Tommy Wright’s team coming out on top of a 3-2 thriller at McDiarmid Park.
Danny Swanson’s screamer opened the scoring before the Jambos fought back to take a 2-1 lead. Swanson then got his second of the night before former Hearts defender Brad McKay headed in a late winner.
Saints go into the tie buoyed by two Premiership wins in a row, including another win against Hearts last weekend.
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