Scottish Cup

By FOS Editor
January 7 2011

The Scottish Cup reaches the fourth round this weekend when the “big guns” join in, and will there be any shocks?

There are a few out of form SPL sides who are facing potential “banana skins”, although a few will probably be able to make home advantage count tomorrow.

Hibs should be strong enough to see off Second Division Ayr United as should Aberdeen at home to East Fife. Hamilton, Dundee Utd, Inverness and St. Mirren also face lower league opposition at home and should safely make it through.

The SPL side who are favourites to lose to lower opposition is Motherwell who travel to Dens Park on Sunday. The home side haven’t lost in their last 6 games while Motherwell have only 1 draw in their last four.

Motherwell have also lost two of their regulars in Gow and Blackman but have had a week to work under new boss Stuart McCall which should help. On the other hand Dundee have the advantage of consistency and confidence on their side.

The Old Firm have different challenges, with Celtic travelling to Berwick allowing people to dust down the memories of Rangers defeat their in 1967. I can’t see a similar result this time with Celtic easing through.

Rangers have to take on SPL opposition on Monday when Kilmarnock travel to Ibrox for a televised game. Killie are on a superb run at the moment and it wouldn’t really be a shock if they were to win this one.

This would please the boys of Biffy Clyro who would love to pull the name of Kilmarnock from the hat when they make the draw for the next round on Tuesday morning.