Scottish Cup: Rangers vengeance and danger for duo - what to expect in the last 16

On February 9 last year, a second-half goal from Seb Drozd and a stoppage-time penalty save from Calum Ferrie earned the Spiders a famous victory at Ibrox and condemned Rangers to their worst ever Scottish Cup defeat.

Can lightning strike twice? The circumstances are somewhat different 12 months on.

While Rangers are in a far better place under Danny Rohl than they were under Phillipe Clement, who was facing calls to be sacked even before losing to lower league opposition, Queen's head into the match as the bottom-placed club in the Championship, rather than the more stable mid-table side of last term. They were already knocked out of this season’s Scottish Cup by Stranraer, but given a reprieve when the League Two side were found to have fielded an ineligible player and kicked out of competition.

Callum Davidson - the manager who masterminded the Ibrox upset having led St Johnstone to a cup double in 2020-21 - has also departed with 35-year-old Sean Crighton now in the dugout in his maiden season as a head coach. Several players from Queen's giant-killing line-up have also moved on, although the two heroes - Drozd and Ferrie - remain. Crighton, though, has emphasised that his side will "certainly give it a go" in an attempt to repeat history rather than simply sitting back.

For Rangers, of the players who were part of that ignominious result, Liam Kelly, James Tavernier, John Souttar, Nico Raskin, Bailey Rice and Mohamed Diomande are still at the club. Vengeance would appear the most likely outcome for them in the 2pm kick-off at Ibrox, which is live on Premier Sports. Rangers assistant coach Steven Smith said: “It is fresh in the players’ minds and six or seven of them were here and involved in that game, starting or on the bench, last season. We won’t treat Queen’s Park lightly, we will treat them with the respect they deserve."

Fife derby at East End Park

After creating the shock of the previous round by knocking out Hibs, Dunfermline Athletic will now hope to avoid being on the opposite end of an upset when they host Kelty Hearts in a Fife derby on Saturday.

The Pars have a chance to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 17 years and would appear well placed to do so against a Kelty side who sit bottom of League One with only three wins all season.

Manager Neil Lennon is guarding his players against complacency though after a 2-0 defeat by Airdrieonians at East End Park last weekend put a spoke in their promotion play-off push.

“Obviously, there’s a nice reward at the end of it, which is important to everyone at the club," Lennon said. "I don’t want to over-egg it. It’s obviously one we want to try and move forward in. It’s a nice opportunity but obviously we’ve got to be very wary of the opposition.”

Dangerous ties for Bairns and United

Another derby takes place at Ochilview on Sunday (7.30pm live on BBC Scotland) where Stenhousemuir host near neighbours Falkirk. John McGlynn's men are enjoying a superb first season back in the top flight - sitting comfortably inside the top six and playing great football. Could this be the year the Bairns end a 69-year wait for Scottish Cup glory? Standing in their way of reaching the last eight is a Stenny side pushing for promotion to the Championship under Gary Naysmith. The Warriors are currently second in League One, level on points with leaders Inverness, and are unbeaten at home in 18 games. Undoubtedly a dangerous tie for Falkirk to negotiate.

Could an upset be on the cards at Tannadice? Spartans are flying high at the top of League Two under long-serving manager Dougie Samuel while Dundee United are not in a good place. Jim Goodwin's side have lost four consecutive Premiership matches with their only victory in the past nine games coming against Ayr United in the previous round of the cup.

Goodwin also accused his side of "pathetic" defending and said he was "embarrassed" by their late collapse in the 3-2 defeat at Hibs on Wednesday. Spartans, meanwhile, are proud to be Edinburgh's only remaining club in the competition after Hearts’ and Hibs’ exits and are bidding to reach the quarter-finals for the first time. While United should have enough to progress, you could not blame their fans for feeling anxious ahead of the 3pm kick-off on Saturday. Whatever happens it is sure to be a special day for Spartans.

There are two all-Premiership ties – but one has been postponed. Holders Aberdeen were due to host Motherwell on Saturday night live on Premier Sports but the Pittodrie pitch remains unplayable due to heavy rainfall and a decision was made on Friday afternoon to call the game off. The tie is now scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 18.

In the other top-flight tussle, Celtic host Dundee on Saturday evening (5.30pm on BBC Scotland). Celtic have yet to lose a domestic match under Martin O’Neill’s two spells in charge and have tooled up with four new January signings so Dundee could hardly have asked for a tougher draw. However, Steven Pressley’s men have shown already this season that they can trouble Celtic with a 2-0 win at Dens Park in October followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat at Parkhead in early December so should not be completely written off.

Elgin dreaming of 1968

The lowest-ranked side left in the competition are Elgin City, who host Championship high-flyers Partick Thistle at Borough Briggs on Saturday at 3pm. The Jags will hope to use a kind draw to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in seven years, while Elgin, who are third bottom of League Two, have dreams of winning a last 16 tie for only the second time in their history. Back in 1968, a 2-0 home win over Arbroath in front of 12,608 spectators saw them advance to the last eight.

The Scottish Cup fifth round gets underway on Friday night when Airdrie host St Mirren (7.45pm live on BBC Scotland). Stephen Robinson's men are eyeing a cup double this season after lifting the Premier Sports Cup in December. Saints have not been in great form since that Hampden triumph over Celtic but were buoyed by a midweek win over Premiership leaders Hearts. Airdrie are also on the back of a good win - defeating Dunfermline 2-0 at East End Park last weekend - having beaten Arbroath on penalties in the previous round of the cup.