THEY roped in Lubomir Moravcik to help make the draw for the quarter-finals of the William Hill Scottish Cup last night. Perhaps for the semi-finals they should see if Laurel and Hardy are available. Whatever Scottish football may lack in quality it tends to make up for in farce and unintentional comedy. In the previous round the custard pie to the face came in the form of Hamilton Academical belatedly announcing that they would not, after all, be willing or able to host the East Kilbride versus Celtic tie. This time the long plank of wood to the backside came even earlier, at the draw itself, when there was what can only be described as a balls malfunction live on television.

One tie had been drawn – Dundee United at home to Celtic – and Dundee or Dumbarton were eagerly awaiting to see who would be their visitors in the second tie. Suddenly Alan McRae, the Scottish Football Association president situated in the middle of the draw, hesitated like a man unable to decide between soup and a sandwich in the office canteen. “I’m sorry we’ll have to re-do these two ties,” he said, holding the rogue piece of paper that had escaped prematurely from its pod. “We have a problem here.” The ball was, literally, burst.

Ten minutes later and, following a presidential apology, they had another crack at it. Needless to say the outcome was somewhat different. United and Dumbarton/Dundee were no longer looking forward to a home tie, while Celtic weren’t going to Tannadice but instead welcoming Morton, the Championship strugglers, to Celtic Park. Paul Paton, the United midfielder, cut a bemused figure afterwards, with his team having avoided the champions but now faced with a just as treacherous trip to play League Cup finalists Ross County.

“The first draw is what we had expected in the dressing room,” said the midfielder. “We’d said earlier today that we’d probably get Celtic but it’s just strange how it’s happened - it’s void now and we look forward to a trip away to Ross County. I think the chairman will be disappointed because it would have been a live TV game and we’d have had a big gate.

“But it’s just one of those things that happen - a freak accident that you just have to laugh off. It’s disappointing that we had a home advantage and now we’re facing a trip away but there’s nothing we can do so there’s no point in moaning about it.”

United lifted this trophy in 2010 but given the choice between winning it again and avoiding relegation, Paton did not even need to phone a friend.

“There’s no doubt we would rather stay up than win the cup,” he added. “Surviving is the most important thing, financially and in terms of the status of the club. We should never be a Championship team but for a large majority of the season we have been playing like one.”

Morton were, arguably, the beneficiaries of the re-draw, the tie sparking memories of their League Cup win at Celtic Park in 2013. Joe McKee, who missed that game due to injury, wasn’t overly despondent with the drama.

“Are we pleased the draw was messed up? Aye, it'll be good. Everyone wants to go and play against Celtic or Rangers in the big stadiums. There will be a good crowd at Celtic Park too so it's a game all the boys will want to give a good account of themselves in.

"The chairman will be pleased too. It's a share of the gate and that's great for the club. I missed the League Cup win at Celtic. I was out with an ankle injury and the boys were unbelievable that night. These things can happen in the cup and we will try to repeat that.”

McKee’s one-time Livingston youth team-mate, Leigh Griffiths, was also happy with the outcome. “At least we’ve got a home draw – it’s the first time in two years that’s happened,” he said. “It’s also against lower-league opposition so we’ve got to be happy.”

First out of the pot second time around were Hearts and Hibs who will meet in a replay next Tuesday following their enthralling 2-2 draw at Tynecastle on Sunday. The reward for the winner on the night is a home tie against holders Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

“There are big games down south but the Edinburgh derby takes some beating,” said Hearts defender Jordan McGhee. “The football played might not have been the best but the fans saw two good sides battling it out.”

Hibs midfielder John McGinn was also relishing the prospect of a second derby joust. “It is going to be another tough game,” he said. “But we know what is ahead of us now and there is an incentive for us, and Hearts, to get a home tie.”