Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup Fifth Round Draw

Sunday 21 January 2024

The draw for the Fifth Round of the Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup took place on Sunday evening, with former Scotland player Christian Dailly making the draw.

The Scotland legend - who won the cup on three occasions, with Dundee United and Rangers - joined presenter Lewis Irons as the draw was made live on BBC Scotland's Sportscene programme.

The ties will be played on the weekend of Saturday, 10 February.

Bonnyrigg Rose caused one of the shocks of the Round on Saturday when they defeated highflying League One side Falkirk. Robbie Horn's side have been rewarded with a trip to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen.

Airdrieonians also caused an upset against St Johnstone on Saturday and they will face Premiership opposition again in the form of Hearts.

Scottish Cup holders Celtic face a tricky match away to St Mirren while last year's beaten finalists Inverness Caledonian Thistle host Hibs.

Viaplay Cup victors Rangers are at home to Ayr United.

Partick Thistle are rewarded with a home tie against Livingston after their outstanding 3-0 win in Dingwall against Ross County.

In-form Morton host Motherwell and Kilmarnock face the winners of Brora Rangers' tie with Cove Rangers.

Speaking after the draw, Dailly said: "Obviously there’s the all-Premiership tie between St Mirren and Celtic which looks a big game and jumps out. Airdie as well had an outstanding result on Saturday and they’re on a good run of form so they’ll fancy their chances against Hearts, with being at home, although it’ll be a tough game.

“I love it when the lower league teams play against the higher-ranked sides and Bonnyrigg have got Aberdeen away which I think is brilliant. They’ll feel they’ve got a chance. Ayr United going up against Rangers at Ibrox as well. That’s the value for these clubs of this competition – it throws it games like that.

“Even when I played down the leagues as I got a wee bit older, even getting the chance go up against the top teams is what the cup is all about.

“Regarding my old club, Rangers, I think the Philippe Clement will be desperate to win the Scottish Cup, having already won the League Cup. At Rangers there’s no competition you enter that you’re not desperate to win. You’re always looking to win silverware. He’ll want to win as much as he possibly can."

Dailly may be most well remembered for his stellar 67-cap Scotland career which saw him become a fans favourite, but for Dundee United fans he will always be fondly thought of for playing a key part in the club's first-ever Scottish Cup triumph in 1994.

Speaking about that day, he said: "It’s so vivid, my memories of that day. I remember being so well rested and up for that game. It was like the entire last few weeks of the season were all leading into it.]

“I was playing upfront. I remember closing the keeper down, Ally Maxwell kicked it against me and it hit the post and Craig Brewster stuck it in. It was amazing. I was a Dundee United fan growing up, I was at all the games when I was a kid so to end up playing for them and being a part of the winning goal was amazing."

After spending over a decade playing down south with the likes of Derby County, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham, Dailly returned to Scotland with Rangers and lifted the cup again in 2008 and 2009.

Speaking about those triumphs and also his experience of losing a cup final with the Hammers, he said: "It’s a really different thing to be playing for Rangers. Every single game there’s such an expectation to win but I loved that. The passion for winning is unbelievable. We were so lucky to play under Walter Smith and Ally McCoist. I’ve never seen people celebrate so hard.

“I’ve been on both sides, though. Losing the FA Cup Final in 2006 was pretty heartbreaking, because we were in the position where we thought we were going to win it until Steven Gerrard stuck that amazing finish in. But that’s what cup football is all about, its pure elation or heartbreak and amazing things happen in cup competitions."

Dailly was part of the Scotland squad who played Brazil in the first game of France in the 1998 World Cup and he gave his thoughts on the current crop who will also compete in the opening match against Germany in this summer's European Championship.

He added: "I think from a football experience, it was up there with most best experience of my life to play in the opening game of a major championship. It felt slightly surreal because it was so big. I just remember feeling that the whole nation is behind you and that’s what’s so special. It goes past nerves – it’s pure adrenalin. It's so ridiculous what you’re doing.

“Scotland have got a really good manager in Steve Clarke who gels them all together brilliantly. I like the way the players come across when they talk, they’re so humble. They’re well organised and they know what their strengths are.

“They’ve done really well, got everybody behind them and they are really difficult to beat – a bit like that Scotland team from 1998. If you underestimate them they’ll beat you and hurt you.

"I think they’re in a really good position at the moment, where people still a bit unsure about them, and you know what the Tartan Army are like – they’ll take over Germany. It's going to be amazing to watch and the players will feed off that. Its going to be incredible."