Cammy Bell
Former Kilmarnock goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

I think Kilmarnock are probably slight favourites since we're here at Rugby Park.

It's going to be incredibly tight tonight.

Barry Anderson
Edinburgh Evening News journalist on Scottish Football Podcast

I think you can see the issues at Hearts.

There's not enough rhythm, enough flow, they're not scoring enough goals.

They have plenty of the ball, but lack a creative force in the final third and a bit of pace up front.

Michael Stewart
Former Hearts midfielder on the weekend's Sportsound

I look at the recruitment at Hearts, the last season in particular, where key areas of the park weren't strengthened and they lost key players to injuries.

Had Hearts not lost Craig Halkett, Beni Baningime and Liam Boyce, then Robbie Neilson would still be there, because not only are they good players, they are strong characters.

The middle of the park, the issue is so, so stark. The planning [over the summer] all felt last minute. Some of the board wanting Steven Naismith, some of them not sure. There was no synergy, and they still haven't addressed key areas of the park.

After a disappointing defeat at the weekend, Hearts fans' spirits were lifted a bit by the news of Cammy Devlin's contract extension.

The club exercised an option to add an extra year on to the key midfielder's deal, keeping the Australian at the club until the summer of 2025.

“It’s great news that Cammy will be a Hearts player beyond the end of this season," Steven Naismith said.

“It shouldn’t be underestimated how difficult it is for a young player to move to the other side of the world and adapt to a different style of football as well as a different way of life.

“But it’s to Cammy’s credit that he’s done it seamlessly. He gets the club, gets the expectations of playing for Hearts and he thrives on it."

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You get the feeling this is a biggie tonight for Steven Naismith.

Vibes ain't the best at Hearts after Saturday's defeat in Paisley, a fifth loss in six games.

August's 4-0 last-16 triumph over Partick Thistle is one of just four victories from 11 fixtures across all competitions this term.

Defeat tonight will only intensify pressure on the former Killie striker, but a win will book a first League Cup semi-final place in four years.

Cammy Bell
Former Kilmarnock goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

Last season was all about staying in the league for Kilmarnock.

Derek McInnes has now brought in real quality and you can see them starting to click now.

There's a huge opportunity for him to get into a second straight League Cup semi-final, which would be a phenomenal achievement.

Madness seems to be finding Killie at the moment. More of the same tonight would be lovely.

After starting the season with two brilliant 1-0 home victories over both sides of the Old Firm - plus a goalless draw at Tynecastle - they've failed to win any of the next four, shipping seven goals in the process.

Saturday's daft 2-2 draw with 10-man Dundee epitomised the drama that seems to be following them about the place.

Danny Armstrong's late goal looked to have earned three points, but that was cancelled out by a last-minute leveller from Zak Rudden.

There was also a pretty funny red card for Derek McInnes, which you can watch by bashing that big play button below.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland at Rugby Park

Hearts' record against Kilmarnock isn't great lately. The last time they won at Rugby Park, boss Steven Naismith scored in a 2-1 victory in February 2019.

In the nine meetings between the two clubs since, the Jam Tarts have tasted victory just once.

One of six wins for Killie in that time came in this exact competition last year, with Derek McInnes' men running out 1-0 winners in the capital thanks to Innes Cameron.

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes tells BBC Scotland: "It was a huge effort this time last year, we beat Dundee United and Celtic were waiting for us at Hampden, this time around they’re no longer in the tournament and we’ve got to try and take full advantage of that.

“Normally to win a cup domestically you’ve got to beat more than one good team and Hearts are another good team that we’re going to have to try and overcome.

“The players relish these types of occasions and it’s important we feel comfortable. It’s important we try and make the difference to get into that semi-final.

“I think we’ll get after them, we just need to make sure we have the confidence and quality to go and finish off a lot of our work.”

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Tired, Peter? Could also just be doing a cover of Nessun Dorma.

Regardless, hopefully there's no reason to yawn come kick-off.

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Hearts boss Steven Naismith tells BBC Scotland: "The demand that comes with this club is that they want silverware. Tonight is the next step closer to that.

"I've been at the club six or seven years and we've made a few semi-finals and finals. This squad has had a lot of latter-stage disappointment. Hopefully we recognise what an opportunity tonight is.

"We know it'll be a really tough game. They're well organised and have a good manager. We have a fair idea how they'll approach it.

"We need to risk the ball to get the best out of us. We've got a good enough squad to compete in every game."

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We've got you covered on the wireless as well.

Sportsound is already under way on BBC Radio Scotland Extra, with full match commentary to come from Rugby Park.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland at Rugby Park

Killie carved out a right few headlines for themselves when they knocked holders Celtic out of the Viaplay Cup in the last round, having already beaten Rangers in the league.

Since booting out Brendan Rodgers and co, Killie haven't won a game, while Hearts have lost five of their last six.

One of these two will be celebrating tonight, though, with a place at Hampden in the semis secured. The question is, who?

Derek McInnes makes one change to the side that drew 2-2 with Dundee at the weekend.

Forward Marley Watkins drops out of the squad with a groin injury to be replaced by 18-year-old midfielder David Watson.

Defender Corrie Ndaba returns to the bench for the hosts after a spell out through injury.

Image source, SNS

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Steven Naismith makes three changes to his Hearts side following Saturday's defeat in Paisley.

Out goes injured Australia right-back Nathaniel Atkinson, who's replaced by Toby Sibbick.

Meanwhile, Beni Baningime and Liam Boyce drop to the bench for Jorge Grant and Alan Forrest.

Andy Halliday returns to take a place on the bench.

Kilmarnock XI: Dennis, Mayo, Findlay, Wright, Deas, Armstrong, Lyons, Watson, Magennis, Kennedy, Vassell.

Substitutes: O'Hara, Sanders, Davies, Ndaba, Polworth, Murray, McKenzie, Cameron, Dallas.

Hearts XI: Clark, Sibbick, Kent, Rowles, Kingsley, Nieuwenhof, Devlin, Grant, Forrest, Vargas, Shankland.

Substitutes: McGovern, Haring, Baningime, Boyce, Halliday, Denholm, Tait, Offiah, Lowry.

First things first, team lines.

Changes for both sides...

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The 2023-24 Viaplay Cup quarter-finals kick off in Ayrshire tonight.

Hearts travel to Rugby Park looking to spark their season into life against a Kilmarnock side who dumped holders Celtic out in the previous round.

Reckon we could be in for a tasty one, so get yourselves comfy and join us for some cup drama.

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