Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes was thrilled to set up a Betfred Cup semi-final with his former side Morton after last night’s dramatic 1-0 win against St Johnstone.
Adam Rooney came off the bench to score a last minute winner to earn the Dons a semi-final showdown with Jim Duffy’s Championship side, while Celtic will take on rivals Rangers in the other last four encounter.
McInnes, who spent the first seven years of his playing career with Morton, said: “When you have the Old Firm in the draw with a team from the Championship, we probably all want the Championship team – and Morton probably wanted us.
“But it’s my club, really. Some of my fondest memories in the game were there.
“I’m so pleased they’ve made the semi-finals. A lot of my friends are Morton supporters and I’m delighted to be up against them – and we know how tough it will be.”
The Dons are likely to be without last season’s player of the season Jonny Hayes for this Sunday’s visit of Rangers to Pittodrie.
The Irish midfielder was named in Aberdeen’s starting line-up but suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Niall McGinn.
And McInnes believes his side is already at a disadvantage for the fixture with Rangers getting an extra two days to prepare following their 5-0 win against Queen of the South on Tuesday.
The Dons manager said: “We need a big effort from everyone for this one on Sunday.
“It’s ridiculous that Rangers have 48 hours extra of recovery before a league game when there doesn’t need to be.
“Why our game was moved to the Thursday, I don’t get.
“But it is what it is – and we’ll be ready from them come Sunday.
“I think Aberdeen against Rangers is a significant fixture on the calendar.
“It probably gets everyone fired up.
“They’re a good side, they had an impressive performance the other night.
“Rangers have got too much quality, having invested heavily in a squad that already looked good in the Championship, to consider them anything but a tough nut to crack.
“But we’re in good form. And tonight’s result helps.”