Thibault Klidje headed the winner in the first halfImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Thibault Klidje headed Hibernian's opener in the first half

Record signing Thibault Klidje marked his first start with a crucial goal as Hibernian defeated Livingston to secure a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox.

The Togo striker glanced in a header from Martin Boyle's corner just before half-time and substitute Josh Mulligan's stunning 25-yard strike made sure of victory late on.

The visitors, showing six changes from the energy-sapping extra-time Conference League qualifying win over Partizan Belgrade, started in the ascendancy with Klidje stinging the palms of Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior in the opening minute.

The pace of Klidje and Boyle was causing problems and the pair combined for the opener moments break the break.

Livingston created their first real opportunity within minutes of the restart, but Robbie Muirhead delayed his effort, allowing the Hibs defence to recover.

Grant Hanley had to be at full stretch to clear a volley from Sammy Lawal that was heading towards the bottom corner and Zak Rudden was next to try his luck amid increasing pressure for the home side, but his header drifted over.

However, the tie was sealed three minutes from time as a screamer from Mulligan ensured Hibs' place in the last eight.

What they said

Hibs head coach David Gray: "A real professional performance. I have spoken a lot about needing to use the squad and they all delivered today.

"Klidje was excellent, delighted for him on a personal note. That will do his confidence the world of good. We've been patient with him, we'll continue to do that. He's a work in progress, he needs to settle."

Livingston manager David Martindale: "Hibs deserve to be in the next round, although I don't think there was a lot in the game.

"I don't think either goalkeeper really had a lot to do and, up until the second goal, I thought we might have been the team to go and get the next goal."

Player of the match

Number: 18 T. Klidje
Average rating 8.00
Number: 16 A. Winter
Average Rating: 6.62
Number: 15 L. Smith
Average Rating: 6.46
Number: 9 R. Muirhead
Average Rating: 6.38
Number: 28 J. Prior
Average Rating: 6.18
Number: 24 M. Sylla
Average Rating: 6.13
Number: 17 S. May
Average Rating: 6.11
Number: 11 C. McLennan
Average Rating: 6.11
Number: 4 S. Blaney
Average Rating: 6.08
Number: 40 S. Lawal
Average Rating: 6.07
Number: 19 D. Finlayson
Average Rating: 6.00
Number: 5 R. McGowan
Average Rating: 6.00
Number: 8 S. Pittman
Average Rating: 5.93
Number: 18 J. Bokila
Average Rating: 5.90
Number: 7 Z. Rudden
Average Rating: 5.80
Number: 25 M. Tait
Average Rating: 5.69
Number: 39 T. Yengi
Average Rating: 5.25

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.