Scottish Cup holders St Johnstone and last year’s beaten finalists Dundee United have both been handed difficult fourth round ties after the draw was made this afternoon.
Saints were first out of the hat and will face a home game against Ross County, while Dundee United are away to Motherwell ironically the side they will face in the league at Fir Park this coming Friday.
Dundee have also been given an all-Premiership tie and will welcome Aberdeen to Dens Park, while St Mirren play Inverness Caley Thistle and Partick Thistle take on Hamilton in the other ties involving top flight teams.
Hearts hosting Celtic will inevitably be treated as the tie of the round, and Rangers’ home game against Kilmarnock will attract attention, although the romance of the cup is still well and truly alive as several lower league clubs will fancy their chances of reaching the next stage.
Raith Rovers face a trip to play Hurlford United or Stirling Albion after seeing off Linlithgow Rose at the weekend, while Cowdenbeath will visit Falkirk where they lost 6-0 in the Championship less than a fortnight ago.
In other ties involving Courier Country sides, Dunfermline will visit Stranraer, Arbroath will travel to play Elgin City or Bo’ness United, and Brechin City make the long trip south to play Annan Athletic.
Full Scottish Cup fourth round draw: St Johnstone v Ross County, St Mirren v Inverness CT. Hurlford Utd or Stirling Albion v Raith Rovers, Rangers v Kilmarnock. Hearts v Celtic, Queen of the South v Brora Rangers. Stranraer v Dunfermline, Elgin or Bo’ness v Arbroath, Falkirk v Cowdenbeath, Spartans v Morton or Airdrieonians, Berwick Rangers v Albion Rovers, Dundee v Aberdeen, Annan Athletic v Brechin, Ayr Utd or Alloa v Hibernian, Motherwell v Dundee Utd, Partick Thistle v Hamilton.