“We’re in trouble, we’re in serious trouble” – Peter Leven on the cup exit at Dunfermline
Peter Leven believes Aberdeen are in big trouble following their 3-0 defeat at the hands of Dunfermline at East End Park. Dunfermline defeat the cup holders with goals from Matty Todd and Olly Thomas brace put the Pars’ into their first semi-final since 2009. Peter Leven wasn’t afraid to criticize his side’s display as Aberdeen put up a horror display in Dunfermline. Aberdeen started the first 5-10 minutes well but going down hill as soon as the hosts went ahead with Peter Leven saying: “We started okay, we had a chance with Stuart Armstrong, but after that, I can’t defend the players any more, that was unacceptable. I can only apologise to the fans for what they’ve seen. “We had so many experienced players on there, but we never won the battle. First balls, second balls, a lack of fight, a lack of confidence, it’s really poor. We’re the holders, and we’ve limped out the Scottish Cup, that’s unacceptable for me. I can take losing, but after going 1-0 down, the fight was gone, and that was so disappointing.” Aberdeen have been miles off it with just three wins since the start of 2026. The Dons currently sit 9th in the Scottish Premiership following Dundee’s win over Motherwell on Saturday. If things weren’t to get any worse, Peter Leven’s men have a very tough run of fixtures in the lead up to the split with visits from Falkirk and Hibernian as well as away days to St Mirren and Rangers in store. With the way things are going, Peter Leven said: “We’re in trouble, we’re in serious trouble, because we’re not picking up wins, we’re not picking up points, and we’re out of the Scottish Cup. There’s a real possibility we can get dragged into the relegation fight, I said that to the players after the game. “We cannot go on like this, but I can’t protect them any longer. They’ve got to stand up and be counted. They have to show the character because we can’t do anything else, there’s no transfer window, so they’re going to have to pick it up.”
Rangers 0-0 Celtic (2-4 on pens): Hoops hold their nerve to advance to Hampden
Rangers 0-0 Celtic Celtic win 4-2 on penalties Tomas Cvancara’s clinical penalty secured Celtic’s place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals after a tense 120 minutes of action at Ibrox. A packed-out Ibrox brought a raucous derby atmosphere, but in truth, the first half lacked clear-cut quality. Rangers started with a similar endeavour to last Sunday’s league encounter. Don Robertson correctly waved off an early penalty shout after Youssef Chermiti’s strike cannoned off Auston Trusty’s arm, which remained in a natural position. The Celtic team sheet surprisingly excluded captain Callum McGregor, who appeared to be suffering with injury. The visitors missed the captain’s instrumental force, as the hoops struggled to counter Rangers’ intensity. Celtic thought they had opened the scoring in the 35th minute. Liam Scales flicked on Luke McCowan’s inswinging cross from the right. Daizen Maeda reacted quickest, diverting a low header into Jack Butland’s bottom corner. The goal sent the 7,500 away supporters into a frenzy, but with Scales in an offside position, VAR promptly intervened. Danny Rohl would have been happier with his side’s control in the opening half hour, but Martin O’Neill’s side had learned from last Sunday. Mikey Moore’s threat was nullified by a sea of green jerseys every time the youngster got on the ball – the winger was unable to produce the same brilliance that helped foster a 2-0 lead seven days ago. With the score level after the break, Ibrox grew tense on the pitch and in the stands. Benjamin Arthur miscontrolled McCowan’s back pass in the 50th minute, allowing Chermiti an opening. Luckily for Celtic, Viljami Sinisalo was alert to race off his line, and clear from the Portuguese striker. Somehow, the ball stayed out of Sinisalo’s net four minutes later. A dangerous corner kick from Moore was glanced towards goal by Emmanuel Fernandez. The header deflected off Nasser Djiga in the box, causing a stramash in the penalty area, but with several Rangers’ jerseys around the ball, they could not force the ball home. With twenty minutes to play, the games remained finely balanced. Despite no goals, both sides continued to give every ounce of energy to turn the tie in their team’s favour. Benjamin Nygren hooked Nico Raskin’s glancing header away from the target as the game reached a crescendo. Dane Murray produced a brilliant block to stop Tochi Chukwuani’s striker with minutes to play. The visitors had endured endless pressure but defended their box well to stay in the game. The quarter final went into extra time, with neither team able to break the deadlock in a tense second half. Chermiti had the game’s best chance in the 98th minute. Bajrami’s lobbed pass found the striker in space, but from the left-hand side of the box, his deflected shot was skewed behind. The drama continued from the resultant corner, Fernandez towered above a crowded penalty box, to head into the net. However, the goal was rightly chopped off, as the centre back palmed the ball past Sinisalo, to keep the score level. Rangers’ relentless pressure continued. Substitute James Tavernier set up Chermiti in the six-yard box, but the striker’s volley drifted agonisingly wide. The hosts were in complete control but were once more unable to convert their chances. Celtic scored all four of their penalties in the shootout to advance to the semi-finals. A stellar defensive performance rewarded Martin O’Neill’s side’s efforts, securing their place in the semi-final draw. Rangers: Butland 6 Sterling 6 Djiga 6 Fernandez 6 Rommens 6 Raskin 6 Diomande 4 Moore 5 Olsen 4 Naderi 6 Chermiti 6 Substitutes: Chukwuani 6 Gassama 6 Bajrami 6 Tavernier 4 Meghoma 4 Celtic: Sinisalo 8 Scales 7 Trusty 8 Arthur 8 Araujo 8 McCowan 5 Hatate 7 Nygren 5 Maeda 6 Tounetki 5 Yang 4 Substitutes: Chamberlain 6 Cvancara 4 Murray 6 Mvuka 4 Forrest 4 Bernardo 4
Scottish Football Restructuring Proposal Phase 3: Cup Competitions
A comprehensive new proposal to restructure Scottish football has been launched by supporter and former SPFL scout Joe Quinn, including a restructuring of the cup competitions Cup competitions are a vital part of the Scottish football calendar, offering clubs at all levels a chance at silverware, national exposure, and the opportunity to compete against teams outside their division. While the Scottish Cup will remain unchanged in this proposal, the League Cup, currently branded as the Premier Sports Cup, will undergo a complete structural overhaul to ensure a more merit-based and engaging format. Scottish Cup (No Changes) The Scottish Cup, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious knockout competition, will remain unchanged in both format and eligibility. Open to clubs from all levels of the Scottish football pyramid (including amateur and junior clubs, where licensed). Straight knockout format with single-leg ties. Replays only in early rounds (as per current structure). Neutral venues for semi-finals and final. The cup winner qualifies for the UEFA Europa League qualification rounds. This competition continues to honour tradition, offer upset opportunities, and maintain wide participation across Scottish football. League Cup – Premier Sports Cup Format Overview The current group stage format of the League Cup will be scrapped in favour of a streamlined, knockout-based competition. The new format introduces staggered entry points based on league position and European involvement while maintaining competitive integrity and excitement throughout. All matches will be single-leg ties. There will be no byes or wildcard entries; every team must earn its place by playing. League Cup – 61 Team Format Total Teams: 61 42 SPFL clubs 8 clubs from the National League (Tier 4) 8 clubs from the National League North (Tier 4) 1 club via a two-legged playoff between the West of Scotland Premier Division champion and the East of Scotland League champion This structure maintains inclusivity across the pyramid while offering a competitive national cup format. Round 1 – 32 Teams Scheduled: September Participants: 30 lower-ranked SPFL clubs (Championship, League One, League Two) 14 Premiership clubs (positions 6–12) 8 National League clubs 8 National League North clubs 1 Playoff Winner (West of Scotland v East of Scotland) Format: 27 single-leg knockout ties Home advantage decided by draw Progression: 27 winners advance to Round 2 Round 2 – 16 Teams Scheduled: October / November Participants: 27 Round 1 winners 5 Premiership clubs competing in Europe Format: 16 single-leg knockout ties Home advantage decided by draw Progression: 16 winners advance to Round 3 Round 3 – 16 Teams Scheduled: December Participants: 16 Round 2 winners Format: 8 single-leg knockout ties Home advantage determined by draw Progression: 8 winners advance to Quarter-finals Quarter-finals – 8 Teams 4 single-leg ties The home team is decided by draw. S Semi-finals – 4 Teams Played at Hampden Park Single-leg knockout Final – 2 Teams Played at Hampden Park Showpiece event of the competition No Byes Policy A key principle of this restructuring is that no club receives a bye or wildcard. While clubs enter at different rounds based on league position and European involvement, every team must play to progress, emphasising fairness, merit, and inclusivity. This modernised structure creates a more dynamic, merit-based competition that brings fans meaningful knockout football from the first round onward— while giving smaller clubs genuine opportunities to shine on the national stage. Contact: Joe Quinn Email: joseph.a.quinn@hotmail.co.uk Mobile: 07967 213586
