Scottish League Cup: Leigh Griffiths nets double as Celtic cruise through

Holders Celtic cruised into the last eight of the League Cup with a 5-0 demolition of Kilmarnock at Parkhead.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers made eight changes from the side that disposed of Hearts 4-1 on the opening day of the new Scottish Premiership season, but it made little difference to the champions' well-oiled goal machine.

Leigh Griffiths added to his weekend brace with another double as Anthony Ralston, Kieran Tierney - with the goal of the night - and Stuart Armstrong also got in on the act.

In the night's other ties, Hibs were also in the mood at Easter Road, sweeping Ayr United aside 5-0, while Partick had a morale-boosting 3-0 win at St Johnstone and Livingston edged Falkirk 2-1 after extra time.

In the east end of Glasgow, Griffiths (14) opened his account from the penalty spot after Jonny Hayes was clipped by Jordan Jones, before the goalscorer's corner was headed home by Anthony Ralston (21) for his first senior goal.

Griffiths calmly slotted his second after a lovely assist from Tierney, before the left-back with the burgeoning reputation took matters into his own hands with a stunning long-range shot to make it 4-0 (65).

Stuart Armstrong (71) tapped in to round off an excellent display from the home side but it was another worrying defeat for Lee McCulloch's men after their home loss to St Johnstone at the weekend.

Saints were unable to build on their weekend success in Ayrshire as they slipped put of the competition thanks to three second-half goals for Thistle.

Steven Lawless opened the scoring with a penalty (50) Ryan Edwards then blasted in from 25 yards and a weaving Chris Erskine rounded it off in the last minute.

In Leith, an Anthony Stokes inspired Hibernian were too strong for League One Ayr United.

The Republic of Ireland forward headed the opener (20) then set up Simon Murray (31) for a calm left-foot finish.

Stokes then extended the advantage with a cool strike (59) before Efe Ambrose (69) bundled in the fourth. Lithuanian striker Deivydas Matulevicius (85) stepped off the bench to cap a fine night for Neil Lennon's men.

Championship side Livingston joined the three Premiership sides in the quarter-finals, Rafa de Vita first goal of the season sealing a 2-1 extra time win at Falkirk after Scott Robinson's opener had been cancelled out by James Craigen