Dreamers and Giant-Killers: Who’s the Fairytale Shock Waiting to Happen This Scottish Cup Weekend?

Dreamers and Giant-Killers: Who’s the Fairytale Shock Waiting to Happen This Scottish Cup Weekend?

On the eve of Scottish Cup weekend, a David like shadow is lingering over the Goliaths of Scottish football.

If the last few weeks are anything to go by, those labelled underdogs should feel quietly confident about their chances of causing an upset. Non-league Macclesfield conquered FA Cup holders Crystal Palace, while on Wednesday night Spanish second-tier side Albacete stunned giants Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey. These are timely reminders for Scottish clubs to consider, reputations count for little in cup competition.

The Scottish Cup has delivered its fair share of surprise results in recent years. Last season, Queen’s Park stunned Rangers at Ibrox, with Seb Drozd’s goal and a stoppage-time penalty save from Calum Ferrie sealing not just a famous victory but a historic one. Rangers were handed their first ever defeat to a lower division side in the Scottish Cup.

In 2023, sixth-tier Darvel did the unthinkable by knocking Aberdeen out of the competition, while 2021 also saw Highland League side Brora Rangers eliminate Hearts in another unforgettable Scottish Cup result.

Who will shock the Scottish Cup this year? Here are 5 tasty ties to keep an eye on.

Auchinleck Talbot vs Celtic

Potential cup giant-killings don’t come much bigger than this. If sixth-tier Auchinleck Talbot were to beat 42-time Scottish champions Celtic, it would go down as one of the biggest upsets in football history. Some bookmakers have the Ayrshire side priced at 50/1 to win. The match has been moved from Beechwood Park to Rugby Park over safety concerns, giving Auchinleck the chance to financially maximise the tie.

Auchinleck are no slouches and have already had an unforgettable cup run, defeating Ayrshire rivals Cumnock in an earlier round and then brushing aside League Two Dumbarton 4–0. The return of Martin O'Neill comes at an unfortunate time for Auchinleck. There is no greater certainty than that a hypothetical matchup between Wilfred Nancy’s Celtic and Auchinleck would have been a glorious car crash and had the Ayrshire side licking their lips. But alas the steady hand of Martin O'Neill won't fill those involved in Auchinleck with the same optimism.

Pulling off a Hollywood win will require some Rocky‑style fighting spirit and, to put it mildly, unrivalled good fortune.

Rangers vs Annan Athletic

It’s this matchup that kicks off the weekend, as League Two side Annan head to Ibrox on Friday night. The two clubs last met in the Scottish Cup in 2022, when Rangers secured a 3–0 victory away from home, thanks to goals from Kemar Roofe, Fashion Sakala, and Filip Helander. Annan, have previously pulled off an Ibrox shock — in 2013 they famously beat Rangers 2–1. However, Rohls Rangers are flying, its going to take nothing short of serious cup magic for those in Black and Gold to make it two shock defeats in two years for Rangers.

Dunfermline Athletic vs Hibs

It’s the Neil Lennon revenge game as Hibs visit East End Park in Saturday’s early kick-off. This one has all the makings of a big match even if the on-pitch quality isn’t dazzling, the atmosphere and external factors promise a must-see matchup. Hibs go into the tie as clear favourites, unbeaten in their last five games and enjoying a solid run of form. Dunfermline, sitting fifth in the Championship, don’t offer any clear clues as to how they might pull off an upset. But, my gut instinct is telling me this fixture is going to be anything but straightforward. One thing's for certain: expect chaos.

Aberdeen vs Raith Rovers

Aberdeen are probably high on the list of potential scalps that underdogs feel they can take. It’s been a hellish few months for the Dons, and a win for Raith would only add to their misery. Dougie Imrie’s side should sense that the holders are there for the taking — because they are. The first goal will be crucial: if it comes for Aberdeen, it could be a much-needed tension reliever, but if Raith grab it, the home crowd will be on top of their team and the game could sprial away from Aberdeen. There should be a sense of quiet confidence in Raith fans and nagging pessimism for those supporting Aberdeen.

Camelon Juniors vs Elgin City

Not as eye-catching as those facing Premiership opposition, but sixth-tier Camelon Juniors have a fantastic opportunity to continue their Scottish Cup run and knock out League Two side Elgin City. In the previous round, Camelon defeated another League Two team, Edinburgh City, at home, and they once again enjoy home advantage for this tie. The Juniors have lost only three league games all season, while Elgin sit eighth in their division. With a passionate home crowd and strong form behind them, Camelon have every reason to believe they could add Elgin to the list of Scottish Cup upsets.