THE Betfred Cup quarter-finals get underway tonight with Rangers welcoming Queen of the South to Ibrox and Dundee United travelling to face Morton at Cappielow.
A new champion of the recently revamped tournament is guaranteed after holders Ross County were dumped out in the group stage.
As well as the three aforementioned Championship clubs there is still League One representation in the competition, as table-topping Alloa Athletic face a daunting trip to Celtic Park on Wednesday.
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 second round.
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 memories on the paths of the four teams in action tonight as they eye a semi-final spot...
Rangers vs Queen of the South
Tuesday 20 September, 19:45, BT Sport 1
Rangers
The Gers got their campaign off to a commanding start, racing to four wins from four in a group that included top-flight rivals Motherwell.
After beating Mark McGhee’s side 2-0 at Fir Park on the opening day, Mark Warburton led his side to further wins against Annan Athletic, East Stirlingshire and Stranraer.
The Gers’ momentum continued into the second round, where an emphatic 5-0 victory over Peterhead booked a quarter-final spot.
The Ibrox side have been in fine form in the tournament so far, having scored 15 goals in five games without conceding any.
Queen of the South
The Dumfries club picked up three wins from four in Group E, missing out on top spot behind Partick Thistle due to a 2-1 defeat against the Jags at Firhill.
Wins over Airdrieonians, Queen’s Park and Stenhousemuir were enough to book a spot in the second round as the Doonhammers finished as one of the four best runners-up.
Gavin Skelton’s side then caught the eye in the second round when they recorded a 3-1 win away to Championship leaders Hibernian.
Queens have since deposed Hibs at the top of the table after an unbeaten start to the league season and will travel to Ibrox brimming with confidence.
Greenock Morton vs Dundee United
Tuesday 20 September, 19:45
Greenock Morton
Morton got off to a near-perfect start by finishing top of a group containing Premiership side Kilmarnock, going unbeaten and not conceding any goals.
A narrow penalty shoot-out win against Albion Rovers on the opening day following a goalless draw wasn’t the most auspicious start, but wins against Clyde, Berwick Rangers and an impressive 2-0 victory away to Killie ensured progress to the next round.
Another top-flight scalp followed, as Morton came from behind to beat Hamilton Accies 2-1 at New Douglas Park in the second round.
They were rewarded with a home quarter-final tie against Championship rivals Dundee United – a side they will meet again on league duty only four days after their cup tie.
Dundee United
United manager Ray McKinnon may have not got off to the best start in the Championship, recording two wins in six games, but his side are still in the hunt for silverware thanks to an impressive League Cup run.
The Tannadice outfit were unlucky to miss out on top spot to Inverness in the group stages on goal difference, having beaten the Highlanders on penalties when they faced off in July.
They saw off the challenge of Dunfermline and Cowdenbeath after squeezing past Arbroath on penalties on the opening day.
After securing passage as one of the best runners-up, the Tangerines knocked out Partick Thistle on home turf thanks to a Cammy Smith hat-trick.
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