First-half goals from Filip Helander, Kemar Roofe and Fashion Sakala sealed a comfortable 3-0 victory for Rangers against Annan Athletic at Galabank to secure their place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst changed the whole team from their midweek defeat of Hibs, handing Aaron Ramsey and Mateusz Zukowski both made their first starts with Helander featuring for the first time in five months after recovering from a knee injury. Helander headed in the opening goal after seven minutes before strikers Kemar Roofe and Fashion Sakala added further goals to end any hopes of the League Two side providing a shock.
Hearts progressed to the quarter-finals beating Livingston 4-3 on penalties. The contest finished 0-0 after extra time at Tynecastle with the visitors coming closest to breaking the deadlock in 90 minutes when Scott Pittman hit the post. Livingston’s Cristiano Montaño struck the outside of a post and Ayo Obileye had his penalty saved by Craig Gordon. John Souttar, Peter Haring, Ben Woodburn and Ellis Simms all converted as Hearts edged through.
Greg Kiltie scored two goals to help St Mirren to a comprehensive 4-0 win over fourth division Kelty Hearts. The Buddies opened the scoring after 16 minutes when Alex Grieve followed up a save by Darren Jamieson from a Richard Tait attempt to nod in. Jordan Jones’ superb strike increased their lead after 50 minutes and he assisted Kiltie to score after 58 minutes. Kiltie added the fourth goal with five minutes remaining.
Kevin van Veen and Connor Shields scored as Motherwell fought back to beat Aberdeen 2-1 at Fir Park to secure their passage to the next round. Christian Ramírez opened the scoring with a header for Aberdeen in the third minute and the visitors appeared to be on course to bounce back from their defeat to Celtic in midweek.
Van Veen’s deflected strike levelled the scores half an hour later and Shields pounced to score as the home side turned the match around before half-time. Motherwell had further opportunities to increase their advantage but Liam Kelly produced a great save from Ramírez late on. The win for the Steelmen adds to the pressure on Stephen Glass and the visiting fans showed their unhappiness at full-time.
Elsewhere, a first-half goal from midfielder Ian Harkes gave Dundee United a 1-0 win over a stoic Partick Thistle side on a boggy Firhill pitch.
Celtic host Raith tomorrow after Hibernian visit Arbroath. The draw for the next round will take place on Monday after the conclusion of the Peterhead versus Dundee tie.
