Celtic head into Scottish Cup twilight zone

Celtic, still on a high after their Old Firm victory over Rangers, take a trip into Scottish football’s twilight zone tomorrow with a Cup fourth round clash at third division Berwick Rangers.

Last weekend’s win over their Glasgow rivals allowed Celtic to move four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League, but they will be on their guard against complacency when playing lowly Berwick.

“This is definitely a big game for us because, if we go and get beaten there, everyone will forget about the Rangers game and will talk instead about this one,” said Celtic midfielder James Forrest.

“So, we have to treat this game just the same way we did the Rangers match. We have to try and start the way we did at Ibrox and just take it from there. Hopefully, there will be no looking back and we can get a little bit of luck now.”

Celtic will welcome back captain Scott Brown after a one-game suspension and boss Neil Lennon will have to decide whether to hand Swedish international Freddie Ljungberg his debut at Shielfield.

The Berwick players are dreaming of a giant-killing act and goalkeeper Mark Peat says they are looking forward to the televised tie.

“It is the stuff of dreams to cause an upset. It will be the first time that most of the players, including myself, have played live on TV and that gives you an incentive,” the Berwick captain said.

Rivals Rangers face a tricky tie against top-flight rivals Kilmarnock at Ibrox Park on Monday night.

Walter Smith’s side have triumphed over Kilmarnock twice in the league so far this season and also knocked them out of the League Cup at the quarter-final stage.

But the matches have been close affairs and the team many tipped for relegation this season have improved greatly under new boss Mixu Paatelainen, who has led them to fourth place.

Elsewhere today, there is a repeat of last year’s final as Dundee United host Ross County at Tannadice.

United defeated their First Division opponents to lift the Cup in May but both sides have struggled for form this season.

Hibernian will hope to put their poor league form behind them as they welcome Second Division Ayr United to Easter Road.

Craig Brown will want his unbeaten start as Aberdeen boss to continue with Second Division strugglers East Fife their opponents at Pittodrie.

Fixtures and forecast

Scottish Cup – 4th round
Aberdeen-East Fife - 1
Dundee Utd-Ross County - 1
East Stirling-Buckie Thistle - X
Falkirk-Partick Thistle - 1
Hamilton-Alloa - 1
Hearts-St Johnstone - 1
Hibernian-Ayr - 1
Inverness CT-Elgin - 1
Montrose-Dunfermline - X
Morton-Airdrie Utd - X
Queen of South-Brechin - X
St Mirren-Peterhead - X

Tomorrow:
Dundee-Motherwell (13:15) - X
Berwick-Celtic (15:30) - 2

Monday:
Rangers-Kilmarnock (20:30) - 1

First Division
Stirling-Raith Rovers - 2

Second Division
Dumbarton-Forfar - X

Third Division
Albion-Arbroath - 1
Clyde-Queen’s Park - X