Scottish Cup Delivers Upsets As Dunfermline Stun Hibernian

The Scottish Cup’s fourth round delivered all the drama, tension, and unpredictability that football fans crave, with upsets, managerial intrigue, and storylines that stretched from storied Ibrox to the grassroots heart of Ayrshire. As the dust settles and teams look ahead to the last 16, the competition’s magic is alive and well, with underdogs biting back, giants just scraping through, and the future of several clubs hanging in the balance.

Friday night set the tone for a weekend of shocks when Dunfermline Athletic pulled off a stunning 1-0 victory over Premiership side Hibernian at East End Park. The match, which unfolded on January 17, 2026, saw Neil Lennon’s Championship side defy the odds thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time own goal by Hibs’ Miguel Chaiwa. The result sent Dunfermline into the fifth round and continued a remarkable run of upsets for former Rangers striker Zak Rudden. Rudden, who led the line with his trademark energy and relentless pressing, played a pivotal role before being replaced by new signing Calumn Morrison after the hour mark. Although he never made a competitive first-team appearance for Rangers, Rudden’s journey has been anything but ordinary, and his knack for being in the thick of Scottish Cup drama is becoming legendary.

“It’s another reminder that my career path—though it may not have followed the trajectory once expected during my time at Rangers—has been filled with memorable moments,” Rudden reflected, according to BBC Sport. His involvement in last season’s Queen’s Park upset of Rangers and now Dunfermline’s elimination of Hibernian only cements his reputation as a giant-slayer in Scotland’s most unpredictable competition.

The result was especially significant for Neil Lennon, who found himself facing his old club Hibernian. Lennon’s managerial career has taken him from Hibs to Celtic and back again, and this win over familiar faces will surely have been sweet. With Dunfermline and Rangers—the latter now managed by Danny Rohl after a resounding 5-0 win over Annan Athletic at Ibrox—already confirmed for the fifth round, the prospect of Rudden’s current club facing his former employers adds a spicy twist to the upcoming draw.

Elsewhere in the fourth round, Queen’s Park prepared to travel to League 2 side Stranraer, while all eyes turned to Rugby Park for Celtic’s clash with sixth-tier Auchinleck Talbot. The match, scheduled for January 19, 2026, was notable not just for the gulf in divisions but also for the atmosphere. Despite the game being moved from Auchinleck’s traditional home to Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park, the underdogs did everything possible to make the venue feel like their own. Celtic, perhaps wary of a cup upset, made a whopping 10 changes to their lineup, with Sinisalo and Welsh among the starters. The draw for the last 16 was set to follow immediately after the action at Rugby Park, keeping the suspense high for fans and players alike.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen’s campaign to defend their Scottish Cup crown began with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Raith Rovers at Pittodrie on January 17, 2026. The holders, who had endured four successive defeats before this tie, found relief and renewed hope as Jack Milne bundled home his first senior goal in the ninth minute. The assist came from debutant Lyall Cameron, on loan from Rangers, whose corner was flicked on by Dante Polvara before Milne forced the ball over the line. There was a lengthy VAR check for a potential foul on Raith keeper Josh Rae, but the goal stood, and Aberdeen clung to their slender advantage for the remainder of the match.

Raith Rovers, managed by Dougie Imrie, gave a spirited account of themselves despite their recent struggles in the Championship. Imrie, speaking to the Fife Free Press ahead of the match, was bullish about his team’s chances: “These are the games you want to be involved in, fourth round of the Scottish Cup, away at Premier League opposition. We’re all looking forward to it. I believe in this group of players that they can go there and hopefully cause an upset.” Although the upset didn’t materialize, Raith’s resilience was evident, with Rae making a notable injury-time save to keep his side in contention until the final whistle.

Aberdeen’s interim manager Peter Leven made tactical changes before the hour mark, introducing Jesper Karlsson and Graeme Shinnie in a bid to add fresh impetus. The holders had chances to make the scoreline more comfortable, with Milne and Leighton Clarkson both going close, but ultimately a single goal was enough to see them through. For Aberdeen, the win was more than just progression; it ended a worrying winless streak and offered a glimmer of positivity after a turbulent spell that saw the dismissal of former manager Jimmy Thelin.

The club’s off-field dynamics have also been in the spotlight, with sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel taking an unusually hands-on role alongside Leven in the dugout. Pfannenstiel, who joined Aberdeen in late October 2025, addressed the scrutiny over his presence pitchside, telling BBC Scotland, “I don’t think anybody should be bothered where I sit, even if I sit on top of the roof of the stadium, it doesn’t really matter. Time is moving on and in other countries it is very normal. I don’t think everything needs to be within the norm. If there is something new, Scottish football should not just think about how it was in the past. Why not look into new things?”

He was keen to clarify that he wasn’t acting as a manager, emphasizing, “Leven is the one making the decisions.” Pfannenstiel, whose global football experience is extensive, is now leading the search for Aberdeen’s next permanent manager. Whether he’ll remain in the dugout depends on the preferences of the new boss, but for now, his approach reflects a willingness to embrace innovation in a league often wedded to tradition.

Looking ahead, Aberdeen face Livingston and Kilmarnock in their next league fixtures, hoping to build on their cup momentum. Raith Rovers, meanwhile, will regroup for back-to-back matches against Queen’s Park—first in the Championship, then in the Challenge Cup. As for the rest of the Scottish Cup, anticipation is mounting for the last 16 draw, with fans eager to see if more upsets are on the horizon.

With every round, the Scottish Cup reaffirms its reputation as a breeding ground for surprises, drama, and unforgettable moments. Whether it’s Zak Rudden’s knack for the spectacular, Celtic’s sweeping changes, or the quiet confidence of underdogs like Auchinleck Talbot, the competition remains as compelling as ever. The next chapter awaits, and if recent history is any guide, expect the unexpected.