When it comes to Scottish League Cup quarter-finals, you’d think that by the middle of September, fans would know what to expect. But as the Fir Park tie between Dundee United and Motherwell approaches, things are about to take an interesting turn.
The fact that Aberdeen, Celtic, and Rangers – the Premiership’s top three teams – have all been given home ties in the quarter-finals has many feeling that the possibilities for upsets are few and far between. Not to mention, lower league teams like Falkirk and Spartans have been handed a much tougher draw, making it harder for them to cause an upset.
But amidst all of this, some mouth-watering ties are set to take center stage, and none more so than the meeting of Dundee United and Motherwell at Fir Park on Friday evening. Both of these teams have been struggling to lift the League Cup since the 1950s and 1980s, respectively, and their last meeting at this stage was a thrilling 2-1 win for the Tangerines in 2010.
Fir Park Tie: Dundee United vs Motherwell
As mentioned earlier, the history between these two teams makes for an interesting encounter. Dundee United’s last League Cup triumph came in 1980 when they beat Dundee in the final, while Motherwell’s wait stretches back even further to 1950 when they defeated Hibernian.
Both teams have experienced somewhat of a drought since last lifting the trophy, but their determination to win is as strong as ever. Motherwell’s last foray to the final came in 2012 when they ultimately fell to Celtic in the semifinals, while Dundee United has struggled to make a lasting impression on the competition since reaching the quarter-finals two years ago.
But this season has seen both teams make significant strides, with Dundee United pushing Rangers hard in their last league outing before succumbing to a 1-0 defeat. As for Motherwell, Stuart Kettlewell’s men saw their winning run come to an end at Aberdeen but have been steadily climbing the ranks under the new manager.
The two teams will go head-to-head on Friday evening in what promises to be an electrifying atmosphere under the Fir Park lights. With both teams well-matched and determined to get the upper hand, we’re likely to see a closely contested battle between two of Scotland’s most storied sides.
Recent Meetings Point to Tight Encounter
Looking at the history between Dundee United and Motherwell, it’s clear that their encounters are always hotly contested. A prime example of this came in November 2014 when the Tangerines edged Motherwell 2-1 in the Scottish Cup fourth round.
November is also the month when they last met in the League Cup. In 2010, Alan Gow scored the decisive goal to send Motherwell through to the semifinals, further highlighting the competitive nature of these meetings.
Pressure on Home Team?
Despite their difficulties in lifting the League Cup, both teams have shown notable improvement in recent times. However, they will both face challenges when they meet on Friday, particularly for Motherwell as the home team.
Additionally, with a trip to Rangers coming up shortly after this game, the pressure is on Kettlewell’s men to capitalize on their chances. Alternatively, Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United side also has to bounce back from a defeat against the same opponents and quash any momentum that they might have lost.
Falkirk Look to Upset the Odds Against Celtic
Friday’s action won’t be the only occasion that lower league sides have the chance to shock their top-tier counterparts. Falkirk has already done it once this season, notably against Dundee United and Hearts in the group stages, and now have set sights on adding Celtic to the list.
With Celtic standing as one of the top three performing teams in the Premiership and following their 5-1 thrashing of Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League, odds are against Falkirk going into the game on Sunday. Despite that, the confidence they gained from defeating top-tier opponents in the group stages can provide valuable experience.
A Highland Affair to Remember
But amidst the Celtic-Dundee United spectacle is a rejuvenated and motivated Falkirk side. There’s a certain underdog appeal to the team, with young talents like Dylan Tait rising through the ranks. His rapid growth and success show the unearthing of talent in the second-tier Championship league.
Before joining Falkirk permanently last summer, the young forward endured an uneven journey through various loan spells in higher-tier clubs like Hibs, Arbroath, Kilmarnock, and Hamilton Academical. After helping Falkirk claim the League One championship and return to the Championship this season, however, Tait has found new scoring form – delivering four goals in his first eleven appearances – and become the talk of Scottish football.
Buoyed by the victory over Hearts in the third round, a revitalized Falkirk outfit will travel to Glasgow having gained valuable momentum with eight victories from nine matches and, more importantly, solidifying their top spot in the Championship. For a team which has made consecutive wins under their belt and has little to lose, the stakes are considerably favorable for this match-up.
Aberdeen vs Spartans: Lower-League Dreams Can Quickly Fade Away
As high-flying Aberdeen host Spartans on Sunday, fans are no doubt thinking about the “biggest” Scottish League Cup quarters. Some fans might be hesitant due to past losses like the shock Scottish Cup defeat to minnows Darvel from Scotland sixth tier last season, but it’s worth noting that this is a revitalized “Dons” side under new manager Jimmy Thelin.
They have convincingly extended their winning streak to an impressive ten matches. At the moment, they’re merely trailing Celtic on goal difference alone at the top of the Premiership – yet to succumb to defeat.
Comparatively, Spartans secured a sensation quarterfinal slot for the first time by dispatching Livingston and Ross County despite coming from two leagues below. But part-time Spartans are battling tough odds ahead when they go to Aberdeen’s Ibrox Stadium. Despite all of this hoopla though, who’s saying Aberdeen are invincible?
Part-time teams can fight a tough battle and shock bigger team often so there’s surely always reason to get a bit optimistic and dare dream upsets. And it might be that after a thrilling match the dreams of the minnows Spartans may eventually sail away – then again there might be new surprises for Scottish football to give fans something refreshing to cheer about.