Half-hearted appeals for a penalty among the Hearts ranks.

Alex Lowry ends up on the deck in the box after possibly being clipped, but referee John Beaton is having none of it and Thistle are able to come away.

Rovers forward Lewis Vaughan sends an effort off a post from close range as the visitors continue to threaten a shock.

It's end-to-end stuff, with former Hibs goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski then denying Martin Boyle with the winger clean through on goal.

So close to an opener for Hibs.

Elie Youan's cross is headed towards goal by Paul Hanlon, but the centre-half's effort is cleared off the Rovers line.

End-to-end stuff as Daniel Armstrong cuts in from the right to have a pop at goal, although the Kilmarnock winger's shot is also weak and no trouble for goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Hibs boss Lee Johnson made a change at the break as he looks to breathe new life into his midfield.

Joe Newell has replaced Josh Campbell.

A huge gap opens up for Matt O'Riley at the edge of the Kilmarnock penalty box, but the Celtic midfielder's tame shot is easily saved.

Now Celtic threaten as summer midfield addition Odin Holm gets behind the home defence and squares across the face of goal.

Kyogo comes sliding in at the back post, but the striker can't steer his effort on target.

An early scare for Celtic as Corrie Ndaba scoops a volley just wide from a corner, carelessly conceded by Gustaf Lagerbielke.

A shaky start for the Swedish centre-half, making his debut for the visitors.

Kilmarnock get the final Viaplay Cup last 16 tie under way against the holders in Ayrshire.

Allan Preston
Former Hearts defender on BBC Sportsound

I expected more from Thistle. They have not laid a glove on Hearts so far and it has been very comfortable for the home side.

Image source, SNS

Rory Loy
Former Falkirk & Dundee forward on BBC Scotland

It is goalless despite a lot of opportunities being created. There's just not a lot of quality in the final third.

Hibs started well, but Rovers grew into it and were the better side for much of the first half.

My worry for Lee Johnson is that Hibs could face an uphill battle in the early part of the season and will be desperate to scrap his way through this tie and get their domestic campaign off the ground.

Brendan Rodgers has been singing the praises of Derek McInnes, recalling how Aberdeen were his side's main challengers the last time he was Celtic manager.

Now at Rugby Park, McInnes has turned around Kilmarnock's fortunes, but he has still to work out how to stop conceding goals to Celtic never mind beat them.

They conceded 13 in four straight defeats to the Glasgow side last season, including 5-0 and 4-1 thumpings on their own patch.

Overall, they have lost six in a row against Celtic since a 1-1 draw at Rugby Park in August 2020 and have gone 13 matches without a win since a 2-1 success in Ayrshire in September 2018.

Two in-form sides vie for what will be the last remaining place in the Viaplay Cup quarter-finals by the time of the final whistle.

Kilmarnock are unbeaten over 90 minutes in their six outings this season, their only blip coming with a bonus point penalty shoot-out loss after a 2-2 draw at home to Raith Rovers during the Viaplay Cup group stage.

They have already beaten one of the Old Firm this season at Rugby Park, a 1-0 win over Rangers 1-0 in their opening Premiership fixture being followed by a creditable 0-0 draw away to Hearts.

As direct entrants to the Champions League group stage, Celtic have only played twice under returning manager Brendan Rodgers, but they have already started where they left off under Ange Postecoglou - winning and scoring plenty of goals.

A 4-2 win at home to Ross County was followed by a 3-1 victory in Aberdeen.

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes tells BBC Scotland: "We're thankful to be at home and we take confidence from our form at Rugby Park.

"We had to do so much right to beat Rangers here and Celtic offer a different challenge in terms of their attacking threats and pace. We need to make sure we are switched on to it.

"We've had two tough opponents [Rangers and Hearts] and two clean sheets. The players are in a good frame of mind.

"I'm pleased with what I've been getting and hopefully we can be pleased at full-time as well. It's important we don't feel second best and impose ourselves on the game."

Image source, SNS

We wondered which Hibs would turn up - and it is the one that's frustrated their fans so much this season.

Second-tier Rovers will be fancying their chances of a cup upset against the Premiership hosts after the break.

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Hearts doubled their lead just before the break with debutant Odel Offiah adding to Brian Graham's own goal at Tynecastle.

A long way back for the Championship visitors.

Image source, SNS

On-loan Rangers midfielder Alex Lowry tries his luck after a little bit of magic on the periphery of the penalty box, but Thistle defend for their lives.

The Championship side will just be yearning for half-time to re-group.