Scottish Cup: Hearts host Aberdeen in fourth round

Hearts will host Aberdeen in the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup in the highlight of the draw which took place at Hampden yesterday.

Aberdeen defeated Hearts 3-1 at Tynecastle the last time the teams met. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

The Tynecastle side, who were boosted yesterday by the news that defender Igor Rossi has signed a one-year contract extension, lost 3-1 at home to the Dons in the Premiership earlier this season and will meet them again on league duty later this month before the cup clash which is scheduled for the weekend of 9-10 January. It is a game that is sure to interest the TV companies.

Rangers were drawn immediately after Celtic but not in the same tie. Ronny Deila’s team will face Stranraer away while Cowdenbeath or Arbroath visit Ibrox.

Holders Inverness Caledonian Thistle face a trip to Stirling Albion, while Motherwell will host Highland League opposition in the form of Cove Rangers or Formartine, who include former Fir Park midfielder Paul Lawson in their ranks. The 2014 winners, St Johnstone, face Premiership rivals Kilmarnock at McDiarmid Park.

Inverness CT will begin their defence with a trip to either Stirling or Cumbernauld. Picture: John Devlin

Former Motherwell and Rangers manager Stuart McCall believes the Scottish Cup is wide open this season – and more than one Championship club could be classed as contenders.

McCall believes both Rangers and Hibs will have designs on the famous old trophy.

He said: “All the Premiership sides and Rangers and Hibs will think they have a chance of going a long way, and to do that you want a home tie and against sides below your level. Rangers will want to challenge themselves further down the line but the main thing is just to get into the next round.”

Hibs face a trip to Fife to play Raith Rovers in the last 32.

Rossi, meanwhile, has committed his future to Tynecastle until May 2017.

The Brazilian centre-back has played every Ladbrokes Premiership game since joining Hearts in the summer from Portuguese side Maritimo and The 26-year-old told Hearts News: “I’m very happy to have signed a new contract, which will keep me here until the end of next season.

“The manager has shown great faith in me and I’m delighted that he wants to keep me.

“The team has played well so far this season and I’m happy to be getting game time, but I know we can get even better.

“I’d also like to thank the fans for their support. They have been very good with me and to play in front of full houses has been great.

“I hope that we can get another sell-out on Saturday against Inverness and we can pick up another three points.”

Full draw

Raith Rovers v Hibernian

Inverurie Loco Works/Annan Athletic v Hamilton

St Mirren v Partick Thistle

Rangers v Cowdenbeath/Arbroath

Stranraer v Celtic

Aidrieonians v Dundee United

Hearts v Aberdeen

Motherwell v Formartine United/Cove Rangers

Stenhousemuir/East Kilbride v Huntly/Lothian Thistle

Dumbarton/Alloa Athletic v Queen of the South

Livingston v Morton

Dundee v Falkirk

Wick Academy/Linlithgow Rose v Queen’s Park/Forfar Athletic

Stirling Albion v (holders) Inverness CT

Dunfermline Athletic v Ross County

St Johnstone v Kilmarnock