Celtic are returning to Hampden as the Premier Sports Cup holders secured a semi-final spot at the expense of Motherwell.
Liel Abada proved to be the matchwinner as he fired home twice as Ange Postecoglou and his troops aim to make it back to back successes in the competition. He also provided an assist as Reo Hatate produced a stunning piece of skill to put the tie out of sight. Kyogo Furuhashi wasted a number of big chances in the first period and could have easily went in at the interval with a hat-trick but he wasn't to be denied as he tapped home a rebound after Abada struck the post on a hat-trick to end the game at 4-0.
Kilmarnock secured a place in the last four draw last night with two out of Partick Thistle, Aberdeen, Rangers and Dundee joining Derek McInnes' men and the Hoops in the hat. The Premier Sports Cup was the first trophy won by Postecoglou and it holds a special place in his heart as he moved to within potentially 180 minutes of picking up his second triumph in succession. Here's three things we learned from the Hoops' narrow win at Fir Park.
READ MORE: When is the Premier Sports Cup semi final draw, who is in the hat and can I live stream it?
Hampden calling
Celtic have made Hampden like a second home of the years and they will be back once again in January.
The Premier Sports Cup holders have moved a step closer to retaining their trophy after victory over Motherwell.
It's a special competition for Ange Postecoglou after lifting the cup as his first in the Parkhead hot seat.
He's going for back-to-back triumphs and he's now within potentially 180 minutes of doing so.
Back in the goals
It just didn't seem to be happening for Kyogo.
The Celtic fans' favourite fired wide early on when he really should have scored after a great ball across goal from Reo Hatate.
Minutes later a stunning effort from range beat Liam Kelly all hands up but came back off the underside of the bar and out.
Kelly then denied the striker with a stunning block on the half hour mark with the Japan international heading towards another blank when it could have easily been three.
But if you keep getting in the positions the goals will come and it was a simple tap in from an Abada rebound that ended the mini drought for the Celtic star to round off the perfect night for the visitors.
Making a name
Abada continues to impress in a Celtic shirt as he proved the difference on the night.
The Israeli winger grabbed two goals and an assist - and was a lick of paint away from a third - as the Hoops secured a return to Hampden.
A brilliant sweeping move ended with Taylor getting behind after a smart one-two with Sead Haksabanovic before firing across goal for the 21-year-old to tap in the opener.
His second was a brilliant arrowed finish that left Kelly with no chance.
He takes his tally for the season to eight goals after netting six in ten Premiership outings ahead of this one.
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