It is the first occasion since 1987 that neither of the Old Firm clubs will feature in the quarter-finals. While Hearts’ Edinburgh neighbours Hibernian disposed of Rangers yesterday, Celtic had slipped to an embarrassing defeat at First Division Clyde in the previous round, leaving the path clear for a team outside of Glasgow to win the trophy for the first time since 1998. It was Hearts who lifted the cup then and they took another step towards emulating that feat with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Aberdeen.

It was taken at a canter, Graham Rix’s team racing into a three-goal lead by half time with strikes through Czech Republic striker Michal Pospisil, Calum Elliot and a penalty from Steven Pressley. The tie was all but over when Aberdeen’s Zander Diamond was sent off a few minutes before the break.

Five of yesterday’s seven ties ended in draws with the only other PremierLeague teams still in the competition making difficult work of games against lower league oppostion. Inverness Caledonian Thistle were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Second Division Partick Thistle, Roy McBain and Craig Dargo scoring for Inverness while Mark Roberts grabbed a brace for the visitors. The winners of the Firhill replay will face Hearts.

Falkirk needed to come from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Ross County of the First Division with Daniel McBreen scoring a late equaliser after Don Cowie put the visitors ahead. The winner of this tie will play host to Hibs.

Two sides from outside of Scotland’s top tier are guaranteed a place in the semi-finals. The winners of the Clyde-Gretna replay at Raydale Park will host the winners of the fourth-round tie between Spartans and St Mirren, which takes place today. Airdrie United or Dundee will travel to Hamilton or Alloa.

Fifth round
# Clyde or Gretna v Spartans or St Mirren

# Hamilton Academical or Alloa v Airdrie Utd or Dundee

# Falkirk or Ross County v Hibernian

# Hearts v Inverness Caledonian Thistle or Partick Ties to be played the weekend of February 25/26

Taken from timesonline.co.uk