Scottish Cup: Fourth Round Draw
After the third round was filled with many shocks and surprises, the Scottish Cup Fourth Round draw has now concluded, creating some very exciting ties to look forward to.
Here are three games to keep a close an eye on in the next round:
Hibernian vs Heart of Midlothian
The draw couldn’t have got off to a better start as an Edinburgh derby was drawn out the pot. Hearts and Hibs have faced each other in the league already after a late Martin Boyle equaliser shared the spoils for both sides in August.
Hibernian against Hearts in an Edinburgh derby match (Image: Getty)
The Jambos have had quite the season so far as they took part in European football for the first time in a decade. However, it wasn’t the most memorable of European adventures as they could only manage to finish third in their Europa Conference League group. In the league, Robbie Neilson’s side sit fifth in the Scottish Premiership and taking into account the amount of injuries the side has suffered, Hearts have done especially well to be where they are in the league.
Meanwhile, in Leith, it’s been quite an up and down season for the Hibees as they sit eighth in the table. Taking over as manager in the summer, Lee Johnson is still trying to figure out his starting 11 and implement his style of football. This is a process that will take time, but whether the Hibs fans are patient enough to wait is the big question.
The game is set to be an absolute thriller and is very difficult to predict.
Darvel v Aberdeen
The Dons face a long journey down to the west coast as they face sixth-tier side Darvel. It’s not going to be an easy game for Aberdeen as their opponents have scored 20 goals over the last three rounds.
Darvel currently sit top of the West of Scotland Premier Division, one point ahead of second place Hurlford United. On their way to the fourth round, the Ayrshire side have put out Tynecastle, Dalbeattie Red Star and amazingly, League One outfit Montrose.
It’s been a relatively good season for Jim Goodwin’s men as they sit just outside the Old Firm clubs in the Premiership. The Dons made some great business in the summer as they brought in North Macedonian striker Bojan Miovski who has hit the ground running since arriving at Pittodrie. The forward is the joint top scorer in the league alongside Rangers’ Antonio Colak with 11 goals.
Miovski has proven to be a shrewd signing by Goodwin (Image: Getty)
It will be a fascinating state of affairs between the clubs as to whether we see complete domination from Aberdeen or a huge cup upset from the hosts.
Dundee United vs University of Stirling
Only one word can only be used to describe Dundee United’s season so far. Embarrassing. After a horrid ten weeks under Jack Ross which saw them concede nine at home to champions Celtic and lose 7-0 away to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, the Terrors hope to get back to a decent run of form under new man Liam Fox. Dundee United sit rock bottom of the Premiership and it has been nowhere near good enough from the fans point of view.
Dundee United players lineup at Tannadice (Image: Getty)
In the fourth round, United will welcome Lowland League side University of Stirling to Tannadice. The away side have been brilliant in the league as they sit just two points behind Rangers B in second place. Stirling Uni have won their last five games as they improve their efforts to get promoted to League Two.
If there is a game that Dundee United need to avoid losing, it’s this one as it will be catastrophic if they are dumped out the cup by a side four divisions below them. United’s form will give the opposition loads of encouragement as they try to do the unthinkable and put their name in the hat for the Fifth Round.
The Fourth Round Draw in full:
Alloa Athletic vs Falkirk
Arbroath vs Motherwell
Celtic vs Greenock Morton
Cove Rangers vs Ayr United
Darvel vs Aberdeen
Dundee United vs University of Stirling
Elgin City vs Drumchapel United
Hamilton Academical vs Ross County
Hibernian vs Heart of Midlothian
Inverness Caledonian Thistle vs Queen’s Park
Kilmarnock vs Dumbarton
Linlithgow Rose vs Raith Rovers
Partick Thistle vs Dunfermline Athletic
St Johnstone vs Rangers
St Mirren vs Dundee
Stenhousemuir vs Livingston
Ties to be played on the weekend of Saturday 21 January 2023