Kilmarnock goalkeeper relishing Rangers clash

Kilmarnock goalkeeper Alan Combe is looking forward to the visit of holders Rangers in the Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-finals.

The teams were drawn together today, and Combe believes there is an obvious advantage in taking on Walter Smith’s side at Rugby Park rather than Ibrox.

Combe said: “We would liked to have stayed away from the Old Firm but we would have to play them at some point.

“You don’t get any bigger than Rangers but we are at home.

“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.”

Celtic were also drawn away, to St Johnstone in their case.

Saints midfielder Liam Craig 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.

“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.”

Aberdeen were beaten by First Division sides Raith Rovers and Dundee in cup competitions last season and scraped past Rovers on Tuesday night in the third round of the League Cup.

Dons striker Chris Maguire is anticipating another difficult tie against Falkirk, conquerors of Hearts in the last round.

He said: “It is another positive home tie, it’s a game against a First Division team who we know well having played them last season.

“It won’t be an easy game, it never is in the cup, anything can happen but with home advantage hopefully we can go forward.

“Every other team apart from Celtic and Rangers have to look at the cup because they don’t have the finances to win the league, so cups are important to us.”

The other quarter-final will see Motherwell take on Dundee United at Fir Park.

Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final draw:

Aberdeen v Falkirk

St Johnstone v Celtic

Motherwell v Dundee United

Kilmarnock v Rangers

Ties to be played on Tuesday October 26 and Wednesday 27.