Billy Reid said his players were magnificent against Kilmarnock

"I left out some of my experienced players - Mark McLaughlin, Alex Neill, Stuart Taylor - with Saturday's game against St Johnstone in mind," he said.

"I brought in two 18-year-old lads and I thought they were sensational.

"We were sensational from the first minute to the last, we scored two goals and it should have been more."

Interview: Hamilton manager Billy Reid

Hamilton's goalscorers against Kilmarnock - James McCarthy and James McArthur - were not born the last time Accies got to the quarter-finals of the tournament in 1981.

"I didn't know it was as long as that," said Reid.

"Maybe things are changing at Hamilton and it's a nice feeling but we are still keeping our feet on the ground."

However, goal-hero McCarthy, who was a signing target for Liverpool last season, has set his sights even higher for the last eight of the competition.

"We hope we will get the Old Firm in the next round," he said.

"I'm not bothered who we get - I would take either one of them.

"We worked really hard; we got the ball down and tried to pass it about.

"Kilmarnock are a good side, so we are really happy to be in the next round. It was also pleasing for me to get on the scoresheet."

Visiting manager Jim Jefferies kept his players in the dressing room for 45 minutes after the final whistle, before emerging to admit: "The best team won - there is no doubt about it. We let the supporters down."