With the Scottish Cup semi-final draw set to be made later tonight, here is all the information that you need with Rangers upcoming opponents at Hampden to be revealed.
After the expected progress over Raith Rovers on Sunday, a return to the national stadium is now confirmed. Michael Beale’s team were not really troubled at all in the game against the Championship side who put up a stubborn resistance but in the end, the hosts were well worth the 3-0 scoreline.
There is the potential for an Old Firm semi-final, otherwise it will be a case of Premiership v lower league depending on the outcome of the last quarter-final match on Monday night.
When is the Scottish Cup semi-final draw?
The draw takes place tonight, Monday 13 March following the conclusion of Falkirk v Ayr United which kicks off at 7.45pm, live on BBC Scotland.
Is the draw on TV?
Yes it is. Just like the game before it, the draw will be screened live on BBC Scotland, as well as the Iplayer and the BBC Sport Scotland website. With the possibility of extra-time and penalties at the Falkirk Stadium, the draw will be made at the conclusion of the game.
When are the semi-finals played?
As is standard, both semi-final ties will take place over the same weekend and both at Hampden. The games will be played on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 April, respectively.
Who else is in the semi-final draw?
Inverness, after they took the scalp of Kilmarnock on Friday night. Celtic advanced after comfortably beating Hearts at Tynecastle, whilst the winner of tonight’s game will complete the four teams ‘in the hat’ for the draw.
Inverness, Celtic, Rangers, Falkirk or Ayr United.
Who does Michael Beale want to play?
The manager is likely torn between an Old Firm shoot-out semi-final with the prospect of a less challenging final or the showpiece final, as was the case last month with the League Cup.
As is it, there’s obviously no choice and the draw will determine the outcome but Beale stated yesterday following the victory over Raith:
“We are going to have to beat two teams to win the trophy. That is our aim, to retain it. There are ten league games left and hopefully two in the Scottish Cup. It is the last game of the season, it would be a fantastic way to end the season and go into next season with lots of optimism for our fans.”
“One thing I will say is that it is fantastic for the competition that two teams from outside the top league have got there because they have had to fight tooth and nail to get to this stage and they have earned it. Whatever two teams are in the hat with Celtic and ourselves, we need to beat two teams to win the trophy.”