What to look out for in Scottish Cup quarter-finals

Aberdeen lifted the Scottish Cup for an eighth time last season Eight previous Scottish Cup winners, including holders Aberdeen, do battle in four quarter-finals spread over the next three days. Sunday's derby between Rangers and Celtic will grab most of the headlines. But there is plenty of intrigue in the other three ties: Listen: Scottish Cup quarter-final weekend preview How Old Firm cup tie could provide Premiership momentum Hampden dream adds drive to Russell's Dundee Utd reunion It is sixth against seventh in the Premiership on Friday evening live on the BBC Scotland TV channel and BBC iPlayer, online & app. But Falkirk, punching above their weight under John McGlynn in their first season back in the top flight, will start as favourites considering the nine-point gap between them - and Saturday's impressive 5-1 demolition of Kilmarnock. United, though, won 3-2 on their last league visit to Falkirk Stadium on Valentine's Day and also head into the tie on the back of victory - 2-1 at home to St Mirren on Tuesday. And, although Falkirk eased to a 3-0 win at Tannadice in November, Jim Goodwin's side also drew 2-2 on their last league visit in August. It is hard to believe they have only met twice before in the Scottish Cup, with United prevailing both times, although the latest was way back in 1967. Two-time winners United last reached the quarter-finals in 2022, when they lost to Celtic, having made it to the semis the previous season, when they beat Aberdeen before losing to Hibernian. Falkirk, who have also lifted the trophy twice, last reached the quarter-finals in 2023, when they beat Ayr United before losing to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the semis. How they got there: Falkirk beat Premiership leaders Heart of Midlothian on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle, then prevailed in their local derby away to third-tier Stenhousemuir 2-0 after extra time. United beat Championship outfit Ayr United 2-0 then League 2 side Spartans 2-1, both at home. Dunfermline Athletic beat Aberdeen after a replay in 2009 Jimmy Thelin was unable to build on leading Aberdeen to their eighth Scottish Cup triumph at Hampden in May and they head to Dunfermline on Saturday still searching for a new manager two months after the Swede's departure. Defeat at home to Celtic on Wednesday, albeit they gave the Scottish champions a run for their money before losing 2-1, ended their hopes of a top-six finish and leaves their bid to retain the knock-out trophy as their last chance to rescue something from a disappointing season. If Sandro Schwarz, who recently left his post as New York Red Bulls head coach, is an interested observer for a second game in a row, speculation will increase that the German is more than just "one candidate" to take over from interim boss Peter Leven this summer. Opposition boss Neil Lennon insists that his side, sitting fourth in the second tier, are "massive underdogs", but the visitors' win over Motherwell in the previous round is their only victory in seven outings and they have not scored in their latest seven games in a row. Inconsistency has dogged Lennon's side this season, but they are unbeaten in their latest three outings, have not lost at home in four, and won the latest two without conceding a goal. Aberdeen will hope history repeats after easing the Pars aside 3-0 at Pittodrie on their way to Hampden glory last season and they also won on their last visit to East End Park, in the League Cup in 2012. However, the Pars will also hope that history repeats given they last reached the quarter-finals in 2009, when they also hosted Aberdeen and, after a 1-1 draw at East End Park and a 0-0 draw at Pittodrie, they progressed on penalties. How they got there: Two-time winners Dunfermline have already accounted for Premiership opposition in the cup this season, beating Hibs 1-0, having also accounted for Queen of the South, then ousted another third-tier side, local rivals Kelty Hearts, all at East End. This is Aberdeen's first tie away from Pittodrie this season, beating second-tier Raith Rovers then Premiership rivals Well. Old Firm derbies seem to arrive like buses these days and the next one arrives just a week after the last. Both can take some positives from Sunday's 2-2 draw at Ibrox. Rangers for a dominant first-half performance that led to a 2-0 lead. Celtic from a second-half fightback to secure a point with what is becoming a typical late goal. Martin O'Neill's visitors came off the field the happier and their delight was enhanced further by a 2-1 win in Aberdeen that lifted them above their city rivals into second spot in the Premiership. With both still trailing Hearts in the title race, and with St Mirren having the League Cup in the trophy cabinet, the Scottish Cup becomes even more vital for two clubs for whom, as Rangers head coach Danny Rohl emphasised on Friday, "must" win silverware each season to keep their fans - and boardrooms - happy. Celtic will want to go one better than last season's defeat by Aberdeen in the final. Rangers are looking to reach the final for the first time since losing to Celtic 12 months earlier. The visitors, of course, are looking to lift the trophy for a record-extending 43rd time, three of them in 74-year-old O'Neill's first spell in charge, while Rangers are chasing their 35th. Honours are even between the Glasgow clubs this season, with each enjoying 3-1 wins on top of two draws, but Celtic have not won at Ibrox in five visits, albeit the latest three finished all-square, so another tight, tense affair full of drama is almost assured. How they got there: Rangers have thumped third-tier Annan Athletic 5-0 and Championship side Queen's Park 8-0, both at home. Celtic overcame sixth-tier Auchinleck Talbot 2-0 at Rugby Park then survived a testing game at home to Premiership visitors Dundee before prevailing 2-1 after extra time. St Mirren already have one trophy in the bag, surprising Celtic 3-1 in December's League Cup final, and will hope another cup run can lift the gloom that has since descended over the Paisley side since. Tuesday's 2-1 defeat away to Dundee United leaves Stephen Robinson's side only three points above Kilmarnock in the Premiership relegation play-off spot and having won just three times in 15 outings. Two of those have came in the cup and they will have high hopes of progress, and a first win in six outings, given they are at home to a second-tier side. Nevertheless, Thistle are unbeaten in seven outings, three on the road, albeit they have drawn their latest two against promotion rivals Dunfermline and Arbroath to slip five points behind leaders St Johnstone. It is the Glasgow side's first appearances in the cup last eight since 2019, when the 1922 winners lost to Hearts. Three-time winners St Mirren also lost to Hearts in their last quarter-final appearance in 2022, having reached the semis the previous season. Despite their recent problems, they will be strong favourites to deny Thistle a first semi-final appearance since 2002 and record a third straight home win over the Firhill side after League Cup victories in 2020 and 2021. However, Mark Wilson's side will arrive for a match being shown live on the BBC Scotland channel, iPlayer, online and app dreaming of a repeat of their last Scottish Cup visit to Paisley, when they won 2-1. How they got there: St Mirren needed extra-time before beating another Championship side, Airdrieonians, 2-1 away from home in the last round, having also needed penalties to oust Premiership rivals Livingston after a 1-1 draw in West Lothian. Thistle have beaten three lower league sides so far, 2-0 away to League 2 side Forfar Athletic, 3-1 at home to third tier Montrose 3-1, then were made to fight by fourth-tier hosts Elgin City before prevailing 3-2. Who's to blame for Spurs crisis? 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