Hibernian hope a derby victory against Hearts will kickstart their stuttering season and take them a step closer to ending a 106-year wait to win the Homecoming Scotland Cup again.
Hibernian hope a derby victory against Hearts will kickstart their stuttering season and take them a step closer to ending a 106-year wait to win the Homecoming Scotland Cup again.
Mixu Paatelainen's side have won only once in their last eight matches, a 4-1 defeat of Motherwell, and have watched their Edinburgh rivals surge to third in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a run of five straight wins while they tread water in mid-table.
Hibs were on the receiving end of a 4-0 defeat to Hearts in the semi-final two years ago, with Valdas Ivanauskas' side beating Gretna in the final, but Paatelainen hopes home advantage and the likelihood of a live Sky Sports audience for the fourth-round tie, provisionally scheduled for a 12.15pm kick-off on Sunday, January 11, will provide enough motivation to atone.
"It's great news, an exciting tie, and a big one straight away for both teams," Paatelainen said. "It's nice to be at home in front of our own fans and we're looking forward to it."
Rangers face a tricky trip to Perth to face St Johnstone, the leaders of the Irn-Bru first division, while Celtic are at home to Dundee, who have been revitalised by Jocky Scott's fifth spell at the club.
St Johnstone lost against Rangers in a dramatic penalty shoot-out in last season's semi-final and Derek McInnes, the former Rangers midfielder in charge of the Perth club, is confident his team are equipped to offer a similar challenge.
"That defeat still rankles," he said. "We had a chance that day to become legends, so it was a huge disappointment to lose in a penalty shoot-out but I believe this a great draw for us. It's something to look forward to but our priority is the league. My players are professional enough to put this to the back of their minds."
Rab Douglas, the Dundee goalkeeper, is also relishing the prospect of returning to Celtic Park for the first time since he left the club in 2005.
"There are not many people left from my time but there will be a few familiar faces. I'm looking forward to going back because when you win things at any club it's special," said Douglas, a three-time Scottish Cup winner with Celtic.
Lochee United, the only junior side left in the competition, face a tantalising home tie with Kilmarnock if they can defeat Ayr United in one of six rearranged third- round ties. This also leaves the prospect of an Ayrshire derby, with Brian Reid's side fancying their chances at Somerset Park.
"We are just pleased to have avoided Rangers or Celtic," Gary Locke, the Kilmarnock midfielder, said. "I've not played in a derby against Ayr so that would be a game that everyone would be looking forward to but there is also a big incentive for Lochee."
As for the other Premier League sides, Aberdeen face a trip to Raith Rovers or Alloa Athletic, Motherwell will play either Inverurie Loco or Vale of Leithen and Falkirk host Queen of the South, last season's finalists.
Hamilton Academical will play either Ross County or Dumbarton, Dundee United travel to East Stirlingshire, St Mirren will play either Edinburgh City or Brechin City while Inverness Caledonian Thistle host Partick Thistle.
Round 4 draw
Ties to be played Jan 10-11 Peterhead v Queen's Park St Johnstone v Rangers Raith Rovers or Alloa Athletic v Aberdeen Falkirk v Queen of the South Airdrie Utd v Elgin City or Spartans Inverurie Locos or Vale of Leithen v Motherwell Ross County or Dumbarton v Hamilton Academical Forfar Ath or Stranraer v Forres Mechanics or Dalbeattie Star Inverness CT v Partick Thistle Celtic v Dundee East Stirlingshire v Dundee Utd Stenhousemuir v East Fife Hibernian v Hearts Lochee United or Ayr United v Kilmarnock Dunfermline Athletic v Clyde Edinburgh City or Brechin City v St Mirren
