The quarter-final ties in the Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup have been confirmed, with the draw made at the Excelsior Stadium prior to Airdrieonians match against Hearts.

The draw was conducted by Steven MacLean, who was a goalscoring hero for St Johnstone in 2014 as they defeated Dundee United 2-0 to win the Scottish Cup.

MacLean also won the cup with Rangers in 2003 and he was also assistant manager at the Saints when they completed a historic League Cup and Scottish Cup double in 2021.

Holders Celtic were drawn at home to Livingston, while Hibernian will face Rangers in a repeat of the 2016 Scottish Cup Final.

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes will come up against his former side Aberdeen, with Killie drawn against Neil Warnock's Dons at Pittodrie. 

Greenock Morton were rewarded for their victory against Motherwell with a home tie against Hearts.

The last eight ties will be played on the weekend of Saturday, 9 March, with the semi-finals being played on the weekend of Saturday, 20 April.

Following Sunday's draw, it has also now been confirmed that, after discussions with the competition broadcasters, the 2023/24 Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup will kick off at 3pm, on Saturday, 25 May.

Speaking after the draw, MacLean said: "I think Hibs against Rangers is the stand-out game. They obviously met in the 2016 Scottish Cup Final so they’ve got a lot of history. Rangers will be slight favourites but Hibs have got a good record against Rangers in cup competitions and they’ll fancy their chances, especially at Easter Road.

“Aberdeen are one of my former clubs so it’s an interesting tie for them against Kilmarnock as well. Neil Warnock has gone on record saying that he wants to win the Scottish Cup so he’ll be happy they’ve got a home draw and Derek McInnes going back to his old club is always fascinating as well."

MacLean won the cup as a youngster with Rangers, although he admitted his main Scottish Cup memories came in the unforgotten St Johnstone win in 2014. 

He added: "I was on bench in 2003 when Rangers won the Scottish Cup. We had just won the league the weekend before on the last day of the season and I think the boys celebrated the win hard so there was some tired bodies on the Saturday!

“I remember in the week leading up the cup final I wasn’t sure if I was going to be on the bench or not. Lots of the first team players were out but I stayed in and was training hard because of the Scottish Cup Final coming up and fortunately I made the squad. I was actually coming on in the game but Arthur Numan got injured and Kevin Muscat went on instead.

“I was obviously delighted to get a winner’s medal but it wasn’t as exciting as 2014.

“In the build up in 2014 I remember getting all the tickets for friends and family and my sister came back from Australia for the game which was special.

“To score in the 85th minute and make it 2-0 was so special and I remember the celebrations on the open top bus with the kids – it was fantastic.

“That St Johnstone team probably didn’t get enough credit because Dundee United were a really good side – they had Andy Robertson, Ryan Gauld, John Souttar and Stuart Armstrong.

“We had actually beaten them in every game that season apart from one so we really fancied our chances even though they were possibly favourites."

MacLean was also assistant manager to Callum Davidson in 2021 when St Johnstone completed a memorable cup double and he admitted he had more nerves on that occasion.

He said: “To win the League Cup and then the Scottish Cup was fantastic. I don’t think any other team outside the Old Firm will ever do it.

“It was totally different from playing. When you’re coaching and managing you’ve got so many things to look after.

“I was probably more nervous if I’m being honest. I didn’t really get nervous as a player. You just want to be sure that we’ve done everything as a staff that we possibly could. You’re trying to calm boys down as well because it’s such a big occasion.

“It was strange with no fans there, totally surreal. It was an amazing achievement but then you felt for the players and fans because they didn’t really get the same celebrations like we had in 2014.

“Lots of good memories and the Scottish Cup means so much to me as a player and as a coach."

The 41-year-old also took his first steps in management with St Johnstone last season, helping keep the Saints in the top flight before departing in October. 

He added: "Keeping the club up was a great achievement for us and we then turned a lot of players round. I think 17 players left the club. It was a bit job – probably bigger than I thought it was going to be. But it was a great opportunity for me and I probably wouldn’t change much apart from a couple of things.

“I think we were actually starting to progress in the right way. We had a lot of injuries in the first part of the season and we couldn’t build any momentum but I feel like I left them with a squad that’s capable of staying up in the league.

"Unfortunately it didn’t end well but I’ve learned a lot from that. I’ve looked back and studied some of the mistakes I made but also things I did well. I’ve got a lot of fond memories and whatever I do next, I feel I’ll be a better coach or manager for that spell. But hopefully I can get back in soon and make an impact.

“It's been great to have had time to spend with the family and it’s the first break I’ve had from football for 25 years. My daughter plays netball for Scotland at Under-17s so I’m getting to go to Gibraltar to watch her. 

“If a manager’s job came up and it was the right opportunity and somebody wanted me then that would be great but I was never in a rush to be a manager. The circumstances happened where Callum (Davidson) lost his job and the club asked me to take over and we did well and they appointed me.

“But I’m happy to go in in any capacity. I enjoy coaching and being out on the grass. Management is a lot different and there’s more outside influences.

“I'm currently doing my UEFA Pro Licence with the Scottish FA and it has been brilliant. I’ve learned a lot. We spent time with Ange Postecoglou, with David Moyes and we’ve been at Brentford as well. We’ve heard from Jesse Marsch and Callum Davidson more recently as well so there’s been lots of good experiences and I’ve learned lots from other candidates too.”

Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup Quarter-Final Draw

Aberdeen v Kilmarnock
Celtic v Livingston
Greenock Morton v Heart of Midlothian 
Hibernian v Rangers