Rangers discover Scottish Cup opponents as SFA verdict triggers 'immense disappointment'

Stranraer initially booked a lucrative trip to Ibrox when they defeated Queen's Park on penalties last week following a 1-1 draw at Stair Park in a rearranged match after the original fixture had been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

However, the League Two club was issued with a notice of complaint by the Scottish Football Association for including goalkeeper Lyndon Tas, who had been signed just hours before kick-off on loan from Hearts, in their starting line-up.

Tas, 17, played the full match and went on to save a crucial penalty from Carlo Pignatiello to help Stranraer progress.

However, Scottish Cup rules state that “when a match is postponed or abandoned is played or replayed, only those players who were eligible to be listed” on the original date can take part.

There is an exemption for goalkeepers who have been signed on an emergency basis, however Stranraer were found to have breached the rules and have been ejected from the tournament.

An update on the SFA website read: “Outcome: Proved. Ejection from the Scottish Cup competition for season 2025/26.”

Queen’s Park have been reinstated and will now face Rangers at Ibrox on February 8 in a repeat of last season's fourth round tie which saw the Spiders produce one of the biggest upsets in Scottish Cup history with a 1-0 victory to advance to the quarter-finals.

Stranraer have estimated they will lose out on £200,000 that would "keep the club running for three or four years".

A club statement read: “Stranraer FC acknowledges the decision of the Scottish FA to expel the club from this season’s Scottish Cup for fielding an ineligible player.

“While we believe the circumstances surrounding the breach were unfortunate and exceptional, we recognise that the responsibility for player registration and selection ultimately rests with the club.

“This will come as an immense disappointment to all our supporters, staff, volunteers and players, particularly in view of the incredible effort to win our tie with Queen’s Park, and the rewards that a tie against Rangers would bring.

“Naturally, we share this disappointment, particularly given the positive progress being made both on and off the pitch this season, and would like to offer our sincere apologies to everyone involved with the club.

“As we move forward, the best possible outcome is that lessons are learned and action taken to ensure that situations such as this can be avoided in future.

“Despite this setback, the club remains united and fully focused on continuing the momentum we have built. We would like to thank our supporters for their continued backing during this challenging time, along with those involved in collating and presenting our case.”