The Scottish Cup's last 16 draw promises a weekend of exhilarating football as top teams gear up for intense battles on February 8th and 9th. The draw features an all-Premiership clash with St Mirren hosting Heart of Midlothian. Meanwhile, Championship side Livingston will face League 1's Cove Rangers in the quarter-finals, ensuring at least one team outside the Premiership advances. Holders Celtic and their city rivals, Rangers, both received home draws against second-tier opponents, setting the stage for high-stakes encounters.
Celtic will challenge Raith Rovers, while Rangers will go head-to-head with fellow Glasgow team Queen's Park. This matchup presents a significant opportunity for Queen's Park both in terms of exposure and financial benefits. Their head coach, Callum Davidson, acknowledged the challenge ahead.
"Financially, it is great for the club to get a draw like that, but it will be a tough game for us." – Callum Davidson
Dunfermline Athletic will visit Aberdeen, adding another layer of intrigue to the fixtures. St Johnstone, currently at the bottom of the Premiership standings, will entertain Hamilton Academical, hoping to leverage home advantage to stay competitive. Dundee's recent 1-0 victory over city rivals Dundee United secured their spot in the fifth round, where they will face Airdrieonians. Dundee manager Tony Docherty emphasized his team's respect for their opponents.
"We'll give Airdrieonians the upmost respect. I've just glad we've got a home tie." – Tony Docherty
In another exciting matchup, second-tier promotion hopefuls Ayr United will travel to Easter Road to take on Hibernian. The anticipation builds as fans eagerly await these thrilling encounters set to unfold.
The draw also highlights the journey of Livingston, who will host Cove Rangers in the quarter-finals. With one team outside the Premiership guaranteed to feature in this stage, the competition remains fierce and unpredictable.
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