GLASGOW (AFP) - Celtic got back on track as Gordon Strachan's side beat Dundee 2-1 in the League Cup third round on Wednesday.

The Scottish champions slumped to defeats against Shakhtar Donetsk and Hibernian last week, but goals from Scott McDonald and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink eased them past their First Division opponents at Dens Park.

Australian striker McDonald opened the scoring with a header from Derek Riordan's cross in the 27th minute.

Vennegor of Hesselink smashed in the second on the hour to end any chances of a shock Dundee victory.

Kevin McDonald got one back for Alex Rae's team in the 71st minute but it was too little, too late as they had Jan Zemlik sent off for two bookings in the final moments.

Celtic's Old Firm rivals Rangers eased into the fourth round with a convincing 4-0 win against East Fife.

East Fife chairman Willie Gray promised his players a trip to Barbados if they knocked out the Ibrox outfit. But Walter Smith's side were far too strong for the Third Division leaders.

East Fife had beaten Premier League St Mirren in the previous round but there was never any chance of a repeat after Nacho Novo opened the scoring in the 14th minute.

The Spanish striker's second goal of the season put Rangers on control and Kris Boyd emphasised their superiority when he netted in the 35th minute.

Carlos Cuellar grabbed a third after 54 minutes and Boyd notched the fourth from the penalty spot in the 66th minute.

Holders Hibernian crashed out as John Collins's side lost 4-2 to Motherwell.

Last season's Final triumph over Kilmarnock brought Hibs their first major trophy for 16 years, but that must have seemed like ancient history as Mark McGhee's team ran riot at Easter Road.

Hibs were undefeated this season before kick-off and took the lead through Clayton Donaldson in the 11th minute

But David Clarkson equalised in the 17th minute to start a sequence of three goals in seven minutes. Keith Lasley got Motherwell's second three minutes later and Ross McCormack claimed the third in the 24th minute.

Chris Porter made it four before Mickael Antoine-Curier's consolation for Hibs.

Aberdeen comfortably defeated First Division Partick 2-0 thanks to goals from Derek Young and Andrew Considine.