Holders Celtic crashed out of the Viaplay Cup at the last-16 stage at the hands of impressive Kilmarnock, inflicting a first cup defeat for Parkhead club under Brendan Rodgers.
In a match devoid of goalmouth action, former Aberdeen striker Marley Watkins popped up with the winner just shy of the hour mark, stretching at the back post to turn home Danny Armstrong’s cross.
Killie, who completed an Old Firm double in the process after beating Rangers on the opening day of the league season, had just 30% of the possession and had to soak up some late pressure from the visitors to advance to the quarter-finals.
Celtic - winners of six of the past seven editions of this competition - were unable to score a traditional late goal as they slipped to a first League Cup defeat since November 2020.
Here’s our Celtic player ratings following the defeat in Ayrshire:
Unused subs: Scott Bain (GK), Liam Scales, Kwon Hyeok-kyu, Tomoki Iwata, Alexandro Bernabei, James Forrest.
9. Odin Thiago Holm - 5/10
Got in behind the Killie defence before squaring the ball across the face of goal for Kyogo early on. Fairly quiet thereafter on his first start. Subbed after 64 mins. Photo: Alan Harvey - SNS Group
10. Liel Abada - 5/10
Produced a teasing delivery from the right at the start of the second half which was turned behind for a corner. More needed from the Israeli, though going forward. Subbed after 64 mins. Photo: Steve Welsh
11. Daizen Maeda - 8/10
Poor performance by his own standards. Should’ve pulled the trigger rather than cutting back inside after latching onto O’Riley dangerous ball in behind. Very quiet after the break. | Getty Images
12. Kyogo Furuhashi - 6/10
A frustrating day in front of goal. Slid in at the back post to connect with Holm’s low cross, but failed to steer his effort on target after five mins. Looped a shot on target shortly after but was comfortably saved. Denied again by the keeper’s feet after profiting from some slack defending on the half hour mark. Photo: Steve Welsh