Rangers will finally discover their Scottish Cup fifth-round opponents tonight after the rearranged tie between Stranraer and Queen’s Park resumed following a lengthy delay caused by a faulty floodlight at Stairs Park.
The match had been thrown into jeopardy when one of the floodlights malfunctioned, forcing players off the pitch after 48 minutes of play. Scottish Championship side Queen’s Park were leading 1–0 at the time thanks to an early strike from Aidan Connelly, who fired in from outside the box.
After a wait of around 30 minutes while officials assessed the issue, the decision was taken to allow the game to restart following safety checks on the affected lighting.
The resumption means Rangers will now learn their fifth-round opponents tonight, ending the uncertainty that had threatened to delay their Scottish Cup preparations.
The fixture had already been postponed once due to adverse weather conditions last weekend, adding to frustration for both clubs and supporters. Initial concerns over the floodlight raised the possibility of abandonment, but with the stadium deemed safe enough to continue, the match was allowed to resume.
Some Queen’s Park supporters had questioned the initial stoppage, with one fan claiming on social media that “sparks were coming out of one of the floodlights” but insisting the pitch was still “well lit” and “looked playable”. Match officials, however, opted for caution before eventually giving the green light for play to continue.
For Rangers, the outcome is significant. The Light Blues have already booked their place in the fifth round with a commanding 5–0 win over Annan Athletic at Ibrox and will host either Queen’s Park or Stranraer over the weekend of February 7/8.
A meeting with Queen’s Park would bring instant intrigue. The Spiders famously stunned Rangers 1–0 at Ibrox at the same stage of the competition last season, delivering one of the biggest upsets in recent Scottish Cup history. That result still lingers in the memory, and a rematch would offer Rangers the chance to put that disappointment firmly behind them.
If Stranraer emerge victorious, Rangers would face a familiar but rare opposition. The sides last met in the Scottish Cup in January 2020, when Steven Gerrard’s team ran out 2–0 winners at Ibrox in a tie played just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic brought football to a halt.
With fixtures already piling up, Rangers will be relieved that clarity is finally on the horizon. Danny Rohl’s side face their final European and important domestic commitments in the coming weeks, and knowing their next cup opponents will allow for more focused preparation.
Whether it brings the chance for redemption against Queen’s Park or a routine-looking tie against Stranraer, Rangers now know they will have an answer tonight.