Blair Alston steals possession in midfield and canters forward before firing wide of the Celtic goal.

Paul Hartley
Former Celtic and Scotland midfielder on BBC Radio Scotland

Celtic are all over St Johnstone. The tempo and the intensity of the play is much quicker.

A crowd of 14,377, including around 1,500 Motherwell fans, make up a very healthy crowd at Tynecastle.

Hearts have started the second half on top. Olly Lee has a deflected shot wide, then Arnaud Djoum should do better with a header at the back post.

Image source, SNS

Callum McGregor is denied by Saints goalkeeper Zander Clark moments after Blair Alston tests Scott Bain at the other end.

After a quiet first half, the chances are flowing now at McDiarmid Park.

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Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

I'm shocked Griffiths didn't hit the target. Twelve yards or so out. On his favourite left foot. He just screws it right. It's a third great opportunity Celtic have wasted.

Celtic's Leigh Griffiths is off target after going through, firing across the face of goal. Another good chance missed by the holders.

Dedryck Boyata heads over the St Johnstone crossbar after Leigh Griffiths' corner is cleared by Joe Shaughnessy.

Now Olivier Ntcham tests Zander Clark with a curling effort from distance and the St Johnstone goalkeeper makes another fine save.

Zander Clark turns a deflected Callum McGregor drive wide of the St Johnstone goal.

Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

Celtic have had fantastic chances to open St Johnstone up a bit, but they're becoming a bit predictable. Whether it's a confidence thing, doing the right things...I'm not sure. We understand teams sit back if you don't get the ball forward quickly. So if they're sitting in, Celtic have got to get down the sides and outflank them. That's how the Leigh Griffiths chance came about.

Chris Kane replaces Tony Watt at the start of the second half for St Johnstone.

Second halves getting started.

Allan Preston
BBC Scotland summariser

Hearts started the game really well, but Motherwell played their way into it by being on the front foot and pressurising the back four. Their penalty was well dispatched.

But from then on, they've stopped playing. Hearts have taken the impetus, got the ball to Callumn Morrison in the wide areas. Sometimes his crossing is a bit erratic but he delivers a great ball in for the goal.

Stephen Robinson and the Motherwell players will be mad with Gael Bigirimana. He takes an unnecessary touch inside his box and gives the ball away that leads to the goal. It's a preventable goal. Then it's been all Hearts. Motherwell will be glad to have heard the half-time whistle.

Paul Hartley
Former Celtic and Scotland midfielder on BBC Radio Scotland

McGregor on the ball, with his composure, you would fancy him to score. It's a bad miss. Good, positive play from Celtic, moving it forward early.

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It's been a first half of few chances in Perth but Celtic have had the better of them. Leigh Griffiths was denied by Zander Clark and Callum McGregor was off target just before the break.

The match at McDiarmid Park is the only one of tonight's League Cup ties without a goal.

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Celtic almost ahead.

Callum McGregor is played in on the edge of the area but the midfielder's delicate shot trickles wide.

Rangers are two up and cruising towards the League Cup semi-finals.

Nikola Katic's header and Glenn Middleton's neat finish have Steven Gerrard's men in a commanding position at the break.

Image source, SNS

Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

Saints have started passing the ball well too - that was the missing component from their game. They've grown in confidence and belief, they've got Celtic almost to half-time without scoring, and really coming into the game.