Scottish Cup: Hearts host Aberdeen in fourth round
The Tynecastle side, who were boosted yesterday by the news that defender Igor Rossi has signed a one-year contract extension, lost 3-1 at home to the Dons in the Premiership earlier this season and will meet them again on league duty later this month before the cup clash which is scheduled for the weekend of 9-10 January. It is a game that is sure to interest the TV companies.
Rangers were drawn immediately after Celtic but not in the same tie. Ronny Deila’s team will face Stranraer away while Cowdenbeath or Arbroath visit Ibrox.
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Hide AdHolders Inverness Caledonian Thistle face a trip to Stirling Albion, while Motherwell will host Highland League opposition in the form of Cove Rangers or Formartine, who include former Fir Park midfielder Paul Lawson in their ranks. The 2014 winners, St Johnstone, face Premiership rivals Kilmarnock at McDiarmid Park.
Former Motherwell and Rangers manager Stuart McCall believes the Scottish Cup is wide open this season – and more than one Championship club could be classed as contenders.
McCall believes both Rangers and Hibs will have designs on the famous old trophy.
He said: “All the Premiership sides and Rangers and Hibs will think they have a chance of going a long way, and to do that you want a home tie and against sides below your level. Rangers will want to challenge themselves further down the line but the main thing is just to get into the next round.”
Hibs face a trip to Fife to play Raith Rovers in the last 32.
Rossi, meanwhile, has committed his future to Tynecastle until May 2017.
The Brazilian centre-back has played every Ladbrokes Premiership game since joining Hearts in the summer from Portuguese side Maritimo and The 26-year-old told Hearts News: “I’m very happy to have signed a new contract, which will keep me here until the end of next season.
“The manager has shown great faith in me and I’m delighted that he wants to keep me.
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Hide Ad“The team has played well so far this season and I’m happy to be getting game time, but I know we can get even better.
“I’d also like to thank the fans for their support. They have been very good with me and to play in front of full houses has been great.
“I hope that we can get another sell-out on Saturday against Inverness and we can pick up another three points.”
Full draw
Raith Rovers v Hibernian
Inverurie Loco Works/Annan Athletic v Hamilton
St Mirren v Partick Thistle
Rangers v Cowdenbeath/Arbroath
Stranraer v Celtic
Aidrieonians v Dundee United
Hearts v Aberdeen
Motherwell v Formartine United/Cove Rangers
Stenhousemuir/East Kilbride v Huntly/Lothian Thistle
Dumbarton/Alloa Athletic v Queen of the South
Livingston v Morton
Dundee v Falkirk
Wick Academy/Linlithgow Rose v Queen’s Park/Forfar Athletic
Stirling Albion v (holders) Inverness CT
Dunfermline Athletic v Ross County
St Johnstone v Kilmarnock