Craig Beattie did two of his old clubs few favours when he helped make the draw for the fifth round of the Scottish Cup, with St Johnstone given a daunting away game at holders Celtic and Dundee paired up with Aberdeen.
The Dark Blues will have to see off Queen of the South in a fourth round replay before they can contemplate a trip to Pittodrie, of course, while Aberdeen also have a second match against Stenhousemuir to negotiate.
Saints and Celtic will now have to play each other three times in the space of four matches.
Dundee United also got Premiership opposition away from home but in the Tangerines’ case, they will face a side at the other end of the table, St Mirren.
East Fife’s reward for beating Morton is another home tie against a Championship side, Partick Thistle, opening up a genuine shot at making it through to the quarter-finals.
Whatever happens, Raith Rovers will get a good pay day by facing Hibs at Easter Road, and if Cowdenbeath can pull off the improbable and beat Rangers, they will be away at Kilmarnock.
The ties will be played on the weekend of February 9/10.
Full draw –
Aberdeen or Stenhousemuir v Dundee or Queen of the South
Celtic v St Johnstone
East Fife v Partick Thistle
Heart of Midlothian v Auchinleck Talbot
Hibernian v Raith Rovers
Kilmarnock v Cowdenbeath or Rangers
Ross County v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
St Mirren v Dundee United
