Rangers will discover their Scottish Cup fifth-round opponents tomorrow after safely navigating their way through the fourth round with a convincing 5–0 victory over Annan Athletic at Ibrox last night.
Danny Rohl’s side were the first club to book their place in the next stage of the competition, with a much-changed Rangers team cruising past the League 2 outfit on Friday night.
Bojan Miovski netted a hat-trick and took home the match ball, Kieran Dowell marked his return from injury with a goal and Thelo Aasgaard scored a free-kick which could prove goal-of-the-season worthy, while new signing Tochi Chukwuani also made his first appearance in front of the Ibrox crowd as Rangers progressed without fuss.
They were quickly joined in the hat by Championship side Dunfermline Athletic, who produced one of the shocks of the round earlier today by eliminating Hibernian.
Neil Lennon’s men sealed a dramatic 1–0 victory over the Premiership outfit thanks to a stoppage-time own goal, continuing a weekend of cup drama across Scotland.
With the majority of fourth-round ties kicking off at 3pm, the list of potential opponents for Rangers is beginning to take shape.
Premiership clubs Motherwell, Dundee United and St Mirren all progressed, while Dundee dumped out Neil McCann’s Kilmarnock with a last-minute goal as the former Rangers winger searches for his first result with the Ayrshire club.
League 1 leaders Inverness were knocked out on penalties by Spartans, who top league 2, while Stenhousemuir stunned Morton, from a division above, with a thumping 4-0 victory much to the chagrin of ex-Ger Ian Murray, who now manages the Greenock side.
Other lower-league sides have also made their mark. Airdrieonians needed penalties to see off Championship rivals Arbroath after a 3–3 draw, Kelty Hearts beat Cove Rangers on spot-kicks, and Elgin City came through against Camelon Juniors to avoid a shock against the junior side.
Queen’s Park, who eliminated Rangers last season, will need to wait to play their tie with Stranraer which was postponed today.
Still to be decided are several high-profile ties. Hearts host Falkirk tonight in what promises to be a stern test for the Scottish Premiership leaders, while Celtic travel to face sixth-tier Auchinleck Talbot tomorrow in a potential banana skin for the champions.
Cup holders Aberdeen also have work to do as they take on Raith Rovers, another Championship side capable of causing problems – with Rangers loanees Paul Nsio and Lyall Cameron set to face off against each other.
For Rangers, the draw offers a wide range of possibilities. A meeting with Celtic remains the standout fixture that fans will either crave or dread, one not seen out with the final four since 2021, depending on perspective, while a potential clash with Hearts, who Rangers defeated in the 2022 final, or Aberdeen would provide another heavyweight domestic challenge.
Alternatively, Rangers could be handed a trip to one of the competition’s surprise packages. Kelty Hearts or Spartans would represent new opponents for the Light Blues, as would a match with Auchinleck should the unthinkable happen tomorrow, although recent history has shown the dangers of underestimating lower-league sides in the Scottish Cup.
There is also the intriguing prospect of facing Dunfermline Athletic, managed by former Celtic boss Neil Lennon. The Pars have already claimed a Premiership scalp by eliminating Hibs, and a tie against Rangers would bring added narrative, particularly with ex-Ibrox striker Zak Rudden currently in their ranks.
Dundee United, Dundee, St Mirren and Motherwell could also be drawn against Rangers, setting up all-Premiership contests.
Having exited the competition early last term, Rangers will be determined to make a deep run this time around. With a strong squad, new signings bedding in, and momentum building under Rohl, the Ibrox side will enter the fifth round as one of the favourites – regardless of who emerges from the hat.
Tomorrow’s draw will shape the next chapter of Rangers Scottish Cup campaign. Whether it brings a glamour tie, a tricky away trip, or another chance to assert dominance, the road to Hampden is now well and truly under way.