THE SCOTTISH CUP fourth round draw has been made – and it’s enter the big boys.
Yesterday saw the third round ties play out, and we’re now at the stage of the competition where the Premiership clubs join the fray.
Holders Aberdeen will begin their defence of the trophy they won on penalties against Celtic at Hampden in May.
The Hoops kick off their own bid for a record-extending 43rd Scottish Cup win, whilst rivals Rangers will seek to cut the gap in this competition with their 35th triumph.
One of last year’s beaten semi-finalists Hearts will be confident, as they currently top the Premiership table.
Other top-flight big dogs such as Hibs, Dundee, Dundee United and League Cup finalists St Mirren will all be there too.
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That’s without mentioning Motherwell, Falkirk, Kilmarnock and Livingston.
But we’ve already lost the other beaten semi-finalists from last year, as St Johnstone fell to an extra-time defeat to League One Cove Rangers in one of yesterday’s few upsets.
They reached a Hampden showdown with Celtic last season before being battered 5-0, but were relegated at the end of last term and have now fallen at their first hurdle this time.
Non-league Auchinleck Talbot pulled off another shock, thumping Dumbarton of League Two 4-0, and they’re joined in the hat by fellow minnows Camelon Juniors, who dispatched of crisis club Edinburgh City by 2-1.
And the final non-league side still in the competition are Tranent, who are yet to play their third-round tie against League One leaders Inverness after that game was called off yesterday.
Championship big hitters like Partick Thistle, Ayr United and Arbroath are all still in the hunt too.
So without further ado, here’s the full draw for the fourth round of the Scottish Cup:
Scottish Cup fourth round draw
- Kilmarnock vs Dundee
- Airdrieonians vs Arbroath
- Auchinleck Talbot vs Celtic
- Stranraer vs Queen’s Park
- Kelty Hearts vs Cove Rangers
- Aberdeen vs Raith Rovers
- Camelon Juniors vs Elgin City
- Spartans vs Tranent OR Inverness CT
- Dunfermline vs Hibs
- Stenhousemuir vs Greenock Morton
- Rangers vs Annan Athletic
- Partick Thistle vs Montrose
- Livingston vs St Mirren
- Hearts vs Falkirk
- Dundee United vs Ayr United
- Motherwell vs Ross County
The headline tie looks like being Auchinleck Talbot against Celtic, as the Scottish champions make the trip to the West of Scotland Premier Division side.
The ties are to be played on the weekend of 17/18 January, although some fixtures will likely be moved to the Friday or Monday after TV picks are made.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
