Levein wary of potential Saints tie

Hearts boss believes his side will face St Johnstone in the 5th round

Author: Clyde NewsPublished 21st Jan 2018

Hearts manager Craig Levein was left feeling uneasy about his side's William Hill Scottish Cup chances after the draw for the fifth round.

The Jambos' reward for beating Edinburgh rivals Hibernian 1-0 at Tynecastle was another home tie, this time against the winner of the rearranged match between Albion Rovers and St Johnstone.

The cold weather means Saints' trip to face Rovers was delayed until later in the week, but Levein expects Tommy Wright's men to have enough to see off their League One opponents.

"I may be wrong, but I would think St Johnstone would win that tie," he said.

"Our record against them isn't great, so if you asked me to pick a game I wouldn't have picked that one, but we are at home and that makes me feel good."

Hearts have already beaten Saints this season, but that is their only victory in the last 10 meetings between the sides, vindicating Levein's response.

Cup holders Celtic will host Partick Thistle in an all-Premiership fifth-round tie at Celtic Park after they thrashed Brechin 5-0 on Saturday.

Highland League side Brora Rangers were rewarded for their victory over East Fife with a trip to take on Premiership side Kilmarnock, while Ayr will host either Fraserburgh or Rangers after their tie was called off on Sunday.

Last year's runners-up Aberdeen will host Dundee United, with Motherwell set to travel to face the winner of the replay between Dundee and Inverness and Formartine United or Cove Rangers will face Livingston or Falkirk.

The final tie pits Morton against Peterhead or Dumbarton, with all matches due to be played on the weekend of February 10 and 11