Rangers have finally, definitively, found out their opponents for the Scottish Cup’s fifth round draw at Ibrox – and it offers a chance for a small slice of revenge.
Queen’s Park, who famously caused one of the modern-era’s biggest upsets by eliminating Rangers from the tournament at the same stage last season with a 1-0 win at Ibrox thanks to a Sebastian Drozd goal and a stoppage time penalty save from Calum Ferrie to deny James Tavernier, will now return to the sight of their famous upset once again, one year on.
The result signalled the end of Phillipe Clement, who would be dismissed following a defeat to St Mirren, also at Ibrox, in the league shortly afterwards.
Rangers had been drawn to face off against Scottish League 2 side Stranraer in the cup after the Stairs Park side defeated the Spiders in a dramatic penalty shootout in their fourth-round clash but were subject to an SFA hearing over the use of on-loan Hearts goalkeeper Lyndon Tas, who was instrumental in their apparent advancement from the fourth round.
Stranraer had lost their regular number one Josh Lane, who had been recalled by his parent club Hamilton Accies, who had sold their own first-choice keeper to Livingston, and had to make a late swoop for Tas, with backup Max Currie out with a long-term injury, but made a serious miscalculation by playing the teenage stopper.
The original match had been scheduled to be played on Saturday, January 17, but was postponed to the Tuesday evening on January 20 due to weather concerns.
Tas had been signed in between the original date and the rescheduled date, leaving him ineligible for the match under an SFA Cup rule that states that only players registered for the original match date can play in the event of postponements, abandonments or replays.
The SFA can sanction emergency loans, but officials at Hampden have said the move for Tas did not get such approval.
On their official website Stranraer said they: “Acknowledge 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.”
While the Spiders said on their website: “[We] can confirm the club has received contact from the Scottish Football Association this evening (Wednesday, January 28), relating to our participation in the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup.
“Following a disciplinary hearing, the club has been re-instated to this season’s competition at the fifth-round stage and will play Rangers away from home at 2pm on Sunday, February 8.
“The club acknowledges that this is an unusual route of progress within the competition following our penalty shoot-out defeat in the fourth round on Tuesday, January 20.
“Having been ejected from the 2022-23 competition for breaching the same rule we can empathise with the players, staff and supporters at Stranraer FC and wish the club well for the remainder of the season.”
Figures within the Scottish game have been quick to voice their sympathies with the League 2 side.
Former Hibernian forward Tam McManus said: “Sickener for everyone at Stranraer.
“Huge cash windfall lost due to an administration error. Really feel for the players/staff & fans.”
While Mick Kennedy, manager of fellow fourth-tier side East Kilbride has said: “Disappointed for everyone at the club, [the] staff and players done a fantastic job getting into the next round.”
Whilst English football author Lee Wellings said: “Truly gutted for Stranraer.
“I know rules are rules, but I wish such circumstances of needing an emergency keeper could lead to more leniency.
“To lose that precious windfall at Rangers is brutal.”
The match will now take place against Queen’s Park at Ibrox on February 8, with a 2pm kick off.