Source: Team_Talk
Old Firm duo handed Co-op Cup trips
Rangers and Celtic have avoided each other in the Co-op Cup quarter-finals, having been sent to Kilmarnock and St Johnstone respectively.[LNB] Holders Rangers, who thumped Dunfermline 7-2 at Ibrox in midweek, face a trip to Rugby Park as they look to retain their trophy.[LNB]Celtic have also been given an away tie after being paired with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.[LNB]First Division Falkirk, who beat Hearts in the last round, have been handed a trip to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen.[LNB]The other tie sees Motherwell play host to Dundee United at Fir Park.[LNB]Killie's Alan Combe is looking forward to the visit of holders Rangers.[LNB]Combe said: "We would liked to have stayed away from the Old Firm but we would have to play them at some point.[LNB]"You don't get any bigger than Rangers but we are at home.[LNB]"The boys are full of confidence at this moment in time and Rangers have had a great start to the season so it's got the makings of a good game."[LNB]St Johnstone midfielder Liam Craig, meanwhile, said: "It was nice to get the home draw and we look forward to it but obviously getting Celtic you know it's going to be difficult.[LNB]"We showed last season that we can compete with the Old Firm and even this year we showed that at Ibrox, so it's up to us to do well in this competition."[LNB]Motherwell manager Craig Brown believes his side's chances of progressing have increased through avoiding both Old Firm clubs - but insists Dundee United will be saying the same thing.[LNB]"My immediate reaction is favourable, purely because it is a home draw," he told the club's official website.[LNB]"We are due to face them on league business the Saturday before the tie so both teams will be well versed in one another by the time the game comes around.[LNB]"Most people say that if you avoid the Old Firm at this stage then you have a better chance of progressing; I am sure Dundee United are saying the same thing.[LNB]"But the fact that it is at home will hopefully give us an edge as there's a real desire amongst the players to give the fans something to really cheer for this season.[LNB]"Both United and ourselves will be desperate to get through for both football and financial reasons," Brown continued.[LNB]"I don't know the money split or how much it is actually worth in pounds and pence, but cup runs are always a big windfall for any club, particularly if you get to the latter rounds.[LNB]"Let's hope we get a big crowd along at Fir Park, under the floodlights, to create a proper cup-tie atmosphere."[LNB]Full draw: Aberdeen v Falkirk, St Johnstone v Celtic, Motherwell v Dundee United, Kilmarnock v Rangers. [LNB]Ties to be played on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 October.
