The magic of the Scottish Cup is alive and well as the fourth round draw has delivered a host of mouthwatering ties, none more so than the headline-grabbing clash between sixth-tier Auchinleck Talbot and 42-time cup winners Celtic. For Auchinleck Talbot, who ply their trade in the West of Scotland League Premier Division, this is a dream fixture and a reward for their stunning 4-0 victory over League 2 Dumbarton—a result that sent shockwaves through Scottish football circles last weekend.
Beechwood Park, Talbot’s home ground with its intimate 4,000-capacity, is now set to welcome the Glasgow giants on the weekend of January 17 and 18, 2026. The anticipation in Ayrshire is already palpable. For a club more accustomed to battling it out against local rivals, the prospect of hosting Celtic in a competitive cup tie is nothing short of historic. As one local supporter put it, “This is the kind of tie you dream about. Celtic at Beechwood—it doesn’t get any bigger for us!”
The draw, conducted on Sunday night’s broadcast of Sportscene on BBC Scotland, has set the stage for drama, upsets, and emotional reunions across the country. Defending champions Aberdeen, who broke a 35-year drought by defeating Celtic on penalties at Hampden Park in May 2025, begin their quest to retain the trophy at home to Championship side Raith Rovers. It’s a tie that sees Jimmy Thelin’s men—still buzzing from their cup heroics—facing a tricky test at Pittodrie.
“We know what it takes to go the distance in this competition,” said Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin after the draw. “But every round brings its own challenges, and we’ll treat Raith Rovers with the respect they deserve.” Aberdeen’s penalty triumph over Celtic last season was one for the ages, marking their first Scottish Cup win since 1990 and reigniting memories of glory days gone by. The Dons faithful will be hoping their side can channel that same spirit as they kick off their title defense.
Rangers, meanwhile, will be relishing a home tie against League 2 Annan Athletic. A visit to Ibrox is sure to provide a bumper payday for the Dumfries and Galloway outfit, but the scale of the challenge facing them cannot be underestimated. Cup football, however, has a habit of serving up surprises—just ask Dumbarton.
The fourth round draw has also thrown up three all-Premiership clashes, ensuring that at least three top-flight sides will exit the competition at this stage. Kilmarnock welcome Dundee to Rugby Park, Livingston face St Mirren in what promises to be a closely contested affair, and league-leaders Hearts host Falkirk at Tynecastle. The Hearts-Falkirk tie brings an added layer of intrigue, with John McGlynn, now at the helm of Falkirk, returning to face his former club.
Edinburgh’s footballing narrative gets another twist as Hibernian travel to East End Park to take on Dunfermline Athletic, managed by former Hibs boss Neil Lennon. These managerial reunions add a spicy subplot to already compelling fixtures, with both coaches eager to prove a point against their old employers. “It’s always special to come up against a club where you have so many memories,” Lennon commented after the draw. “But my focus is entirely on getting Dunfermline into the next round.”
Dundee United, another Premiership side, will host Ayr United at Tannadice, while Motherwell have secured a home tie against Championship opposition in the form of Ross County. For the Steelmen, a strong cup run could inject much-needed momentum into their campaign.
The only other sixth-tier side left in the competition, Camelon Juniors from the East of Scotland League, have also been handed a home fixture, welcoming League 2’s Elgin City. Camelon’s journey to this stage has captured the imagination of neutrals, and their supporters will be hoping for another memorable cup day at their ground.
Elsewhere, the draw features a mix of classic Scottish Cup encounters and intriguing lower-league matchups. Airdrieonians face Arbroath, Stranraer lock horns with Queen’s Park, Kelty Hearts take on Cove Rangers, The Spartans await the winner of Tranent versus Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Stenhousemuir meet Greenock Morton, and Partick Thistle go up against Montrose.
With all fourth round ties scheduled for the weekend of January 17 and 18, anticipation is building across the Scottish football landscape. Beechwood Park, in particular, will be a focal point as the eyes of the nation turn to see if Auchinleck Talbot can produce the kind of upset that has become the stuff of cup folklore. Their emphatic win over Dumbarton—securing a 4-0 result on November 29, 2025—has already demonstrated their giant-killing credentials.
For Celtic, the trip to Ayrshire represents a potential banana skin. The Hoops, stung by last season’s penalty shootout loss to Aberdeen in the final, will be determined to avoid another cup shock. Yet, the romance of the Scottish Cup lies in its unpredictability. “We respect every opponent and know what the Scottish Cup means to clubs at every level,” said a Celtic spokesperson. “We’ll prepare professionally for the challenge at Beechwood Park.”
Rangers, Aberdeen, and Hearts will each have their own ambitions, but as history has shown, no side can afford to take anything for granted in this competition. With lower-league teams sensing opportunity and Premiership clubs wary of complacency, the stage is set for another unforgettable round of action.
As the draw stands, here’s the full list of fourth round fixtures: Kilmarnock v Dundee, Airdrieonians v Arbroath, Auchinleck Talbot v Celtic, Stranraer v Queen’s Park, Kelty Hearts v Cove Rangers, Aberdeen v Raith Rovers, Camelon Juniors v Elgin City, The Spartans v Tranent or Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Dunfermline Athletic v Hibernian, Stenhousemuir v Greenock Morton, Rangers v Annan Athletic, Partick Thistle v Montrose, Livingston v St Mirren, Heart of Midlothian v Falkirk, Dundee United v Ayr United, and Motherwell v Ross County.
Scottish football fans, mark your calendars. With so many storylines, reunions, and the potential for cup magic, the fourth round of the Scottish Cup promises to deliver drama, excitement, and perhaps a few shocks. Whether it’s the roar of Beechwood Park or the grandeur of Hampden, the road to cup glory is wide open—and anything can happen!
