Scottish Cup Fourth Round Draw: Three Key Ties as Hearts are set to Visit Auchinleck
The draw for the Fourth Round took place this week as Premiership big guns join the competition alongside the winners from the Third Round.
Alongside a list of all 16 matches, here are three key ties to look forward to:
Auchinleck Talbot v Heart of Midlothian
The tie of the round is at Beechwood Park, as Talbot’s reward for disposing of Championship side Hamilton Accies is a home tie against Hearts.
Both teams are no stranger to each other, having faced off twice before in the cup, both at Tynecastle- with the Jambos winning 1-0 in 2012 and 4-0 in 2019.
However, this game will be down in Ayrshire, which will make it all the more intriguing to see how Hearts will fare- particularly at what is such a challenging ground.
It will be 10 years since Talbot narrowly lost in Edinburgh, so will it be third time lucky against Robbie Nielson’s men?
Talbot will certainly hope so…
Auchinleck Talbot players celebrating making it 1-0 during last weeks Scottish Cup tie against Hamilton. Source - Getty Images
Kilmarnock v Dundee United
Kilmarnock will welcome visitors Dundee United to Rugby Park in the next edition of the Scottish Cup.
Tommy Wright’s home side currently lead the Scottish Championship as they look to secure an immediate return to the top-flight. Killie progressed from the Third Round after a 1-0 win against Queen’s Park.
Dundee United, managed by Tam Courts have had an impressive start to their Premiership campaign and sit fourth in the table.
Killie will want to prove that they still have the credentials of a top-flight team in their quest for promotion.
United reached the semi-final at Hampden last year and will have aspirations to match or better their progress this season
The last meeting between Kilmarnock and Dundee United during a Scottish Premiership game last season. Source - Getty Images
Kelty Hearts or Montrose v St Johnstone
Callum Davidson and St. Johnstone are set to defend their Scottish Cup crown and they could potentially face Kelty Hearts, managed by Kevin Thomson.
However, Kelty have yet to play their Third-Round replay against League One side Montrose.
This weekend’s replay now has added initative as the League Two leaders and Stewart Petrie’s men fight for the reward of a money-spinning tie against the cup holders.
The Old Firm have both been drawn against lower-league opposition, with Rangers at home to Stirling Albion, while Celtic face an away trip to Alloa Athletic, managed by former Rangers midfielder, Barry Ferguson.
Banks O’ Dee are also rewarded with a glamour tie as they welcome Championship side Raith Rovers.
St Johnstone celebrating their Scottish Cup triumph last season. Source - Getty Images
Scottish Cup Fourth Round Draw:
Peterhead v East Kilbride
Clydebank v Annan Athletic
Banks O’ Dee v Raith Rovers
Motherwell v Inverness Caledonian Thistle or Greenock Morton
Livingston v Ross County
Dumbarton v Dundee
Aberdeen v Edinburgh City
Rangers v Stirling Albion
Ayr United v St. Mirren
Kilmarnock v Dundee United
Hibernian v Cove Rangers or Queen of the South
Partick Thistle v Airdrieonians
Auchinleck Talbot v Heart of Midlothian
Alloa Athletic v Celtic
Arbroath v Brechin City or Darvel
Ties to be played: 22nd-23rd January 2022