Rangers rewarded with Hearts tie after beating Livingston
Rangers had to dig deep at times to see off a spirited Livingston display to progress 1-0 in West Lothian after Glen Kamara's deflected strike inside the first five minutes.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is wary of a rejuvenated Hearts in the Betfred Cup semi-finals but was delighted to see the battling qualities his side will need to go all the way in the competition.
Rangers had to dig deep at times to see off a spirited Livingston display to progress 1-0 in West Lothian after Glen Kamara's deflected strike inside the first five minutes.
The win came at a cost with Joe Aribo needing 20 stitches in a head wound after being caught by Ricki Lamie's elbow in an aerial challenge, but the reward is a Hampden clash with Hearts, with Celtic taking on Hibernian in the other semi.
Gerrard said: "It will be very tough. Hearts look like they have turned the corner after a big derby win.
"We are in a semi-final, it's a game we are really looking forward to, but we have to switch our attention very swiftly to Aberdeen in the league at the weekend.''
Gerrard added: "I think you have seen Rangers playing some excellent, free-flowing football at times this season and we showed a different side. We were full of steel, people who stood up and were counted in a difficult environment.''
Hearts progressed with a 3-0 penalty shoot-out win over Aberdeen after Craig Halkett's stoppage-time goal earned a 2-2 draw.
Manager Craig Levein said: "Getting to both semis last season was good, getting to the Scottish Cup final was great.
"We got a taste for it and it was good to see everyone at the end with smiles on their faces, enjoying it.
"I don't just want to go to Hampden and have a day out, I want to go to Hampden and get to the final.''
Celtic saw off Partick Thistle 5-0 to ease into the last four.
Manager Neil Lennon said: "There were some exceptionally good individual performances. It's an excellent win and the most important thing is we're into the semi-final.''
Hibs head coach Paul Heckingbottom got a much-needed break as his side beat Kilmarnock on penalties after a goalless draw at Rugby Park.
"We've got league games we want to take care of but when the cup does come around it's a totally different experience,'' Heckingbottom said.
"It's a cup semi-final, it's a one-off, you give everything, you leave every single bit of you on the pitch to try and get through."
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