ALLY McCOIST would rather avoid an Old Firm League Cup semi final clash after seeing his Rangers side book their place in the last four of the competition.

Celtic face Partick Thistle at Parkhead tonight while Aberdeen host Hamilton and Hibs take on Dundee United in the other quarter-final ties before the draw for the next round is made on Saturday.

McCoist said: "When you get to the semis you can't really pick and choose. We all know who our favourites would be to pick up the domestic trophies before the season starts.

"In that respect, I'd take anyone other than Celtic, to be honest. I don't think it is rocket science to work out that it wouldn't guarantee you a better chance of reaching the final.

"Celtic would be a very, very tough game. We would be underdogs but the underdogs can sometimes win."

Meanwhile, Tommy Wright claimed that his St Johnstone blew a great opportunity to beat Rangers by failing to take their chances.

Brian Graham, Michael O'Halloran and Frazer Wright all passed up decent openings to net the first goal in the quarter-final showdown.

And the Perth club's players were made to pay deraly for their lack of ruthlessness in the final third when Lewis Macleod netted the winner with just four minutes remaining.

Wright said: "I'm disappointed for them because we did create a few chances and could have got something out of the game.

"We missed a real opportunity to win. A half-empty stadium doesn't really come into it. It is disappointing to be knocked out."

Wright revealed that his central midfielder Murray Davidson, who was stretchered off injured in the first half, had not been seriously injured and would be back in action soon.

He said: "Murray has got concussion and his eye was closed.

"That will rule him out for seven days, so he will miss our league game with Motherwell on Friday night."