By Graham Barnstaple
November 22 2011
The fourth round of the Cup was made today and both the Old Firm were drawn away to lower League opposition, while third place Motherwell have a home tie.
The big winners in the fourth round draw are Arbroath, Peterhead and Junior side Auchinleck Talbot who have all been drawn to play against SPL sides.
It is not the most exciting set of fixtures, with Arbroath and Peterhead being drawn against Rangers and Celtic respectively, while Auchinleck will take on Hearts at Tynecastle. These games will probably ensure the financial future of the three clubs for a few years to come.
There is only one all SPL tie with Inverness being drawn against fellow relegation strugglersDunfermlinewith both sides looking for some light relief from the SPL.
Let’s hope the TV Companies can make an imaginative choice of game to cover and avoid the Old Firm trap they have fallen into in the League Cup. Dundee vKilmarnockwould be a good choice, or even Hearts v Auchinleck.
For two teams the road to the Hampden final continues with this draw….
Scottish Cup fourth-round draw
Airdrie United v Dundee United
Arbroath v Rangers
Cowdenbeath v Hibernian
Culter or Partick Thistle v Queen of the South
Dundee vKilmarnock
Falkirk vEast Fife
Hearts v Auchinleck Talbot
Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Dunfermline Athletic
Livingstonv Ayr United or Montrose
Motherwell vElginCityor Queen's Park
Peterhead v Celtic
Raith Rovers v Morton
RossCountyv Stenhousemuir
St Mirren v Hamilton Academical
St Johnstone vBrechinCity
Stranraer or Forfar Athletic vAberdeen
Ties to be played 7/8 January
