Falkirk 0 Celtic 4: Scott McDonald led the way as Celtic showed their determination to hold onto the Scottish League Cup by dumping Falkirk out in front of their own fans.

The striker helped himself to a double on a night when several fringe players also shone, with former Derry City winger Pat McCourt netting his first goal for the club and Chris Killen completing the rout.

Falkirk did strike the woodwork late on but the outcome never appeared in doubt as the holders cruised into the quarter-finals.

Lukasz Zaluska finally made his competitive debut for Celtic following his summer move from Dundee United, while Mark Wilson also made his first start of the season.

Willo Flood, Marc Crosas, Barry Robson, McCourt, Paul Caddis and Stephen McManus were all drafted into the team as Tony Mowbray made no fewer than eight changes from the side which narrowly defeated Hearts at the weekend.

The breakthrough came after 28 minutes when Killen released Caddis down the right flank and he embarked on an impressive run before squaring into the path of McDonald and all that was required from the striker was a simple tap-in from close range.

Hopes of a Falkirk comeback diminished further when McDonald claimed his second of the night eight minutes after the restart.

A McCourt corner found Gary Caldwell at the far post but his header was blocked and the ball fell kindly for McDonald, who turned and dispatched into the back of the net from a few yards out.

McCourt himself was on the scoresheet after 64 minutes with the best goal of the night. The Irishman beat several players, with Brian McLean’s last-ditch attempt to halt his run proving to be in vain, before cheekily lobbing the goalkeeper.

Not to be outdone, Killen rifled home a right-foot shot from 10 yards with 73 minutes gone after collecting a low cross from Niall McGinn, who had exhibited superb pace down the right flank.

Celtic demonstrated no signs of showing their hosts mercy and Olejnik was called into action to make a decent save from McCourt’s powerful point-blank shot.

Falkirk were denied a consolation goal late on when former Celtic youngster Kjartan Finnbogason saw his header crash off the crossbar on what proved to be a deeply disappointing night for Eddie May’s men.