Encore for Caley in heartbreakers' role

They are a headline-writer's dream, and a manager's nightmare. John Barnes may have to go back into hiding over the next few weeks to avoid re-runs of his horror story, but at least he will now have Craig Levein for company.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle broke enough hearts – Barnes' included – on an epic Scottish Cup night two years ago when Celtic were humbled, but now they have taken their role literally. Hearts are the latest victim to be cast aside by Steve Paterson's First Division giantkillers, who impressively claimed a place in the quarter finals with a carbon copy on Saturday of their 3-1 success at Parkhead. "Super Caley Go Ballistic, Celtic were atrocious" became the most borrowed headline around after that stunning success which cost Barnes his job. However, Paterson has moulded a new set of heartbreakers.

"After that exploit, we lost six players and we now have a new squad," the Highlanders' manager reflected after dumping out the 1998 cup winners, who are currently fourth in the Scottish Premier League. "However, I am glad that they can say they have played their part in the history of the club instead of being constantly compared with the ones who beat Celtic. This is a great day for us, it's up there with that Celtic result."

As with all good cup romances, Inverness's latest drama was littered with football fairytales. Ross Tokely, who hit the opening goal, is a Hearts fan and his father won £500 after backing the full-back to score the first goal. Dennis Wyness, released by Aberdeen, netted his 16th of the season from the edge of the box to restore Inverness's lead while David Bagan, whose solo goal capped the display, is reviving his career after winning the Scottish Cup with Kilmarnock in 1997 as a teenager. Inverness have to wait on the replay between Dundee and Partick Thistle – who drew 1-1 on Saturday – before they know who they will meet in the quarter finals, but, if the latter come through, then three First Division sides will be in the last eight.

The others are Ayr United who dismantled Dunfermline 3-0 and left their manager, Gordon Dalziel, bemused. "Can we please play in the Cup every week? I have players who can handle big cup games but in the bread-and-butter of the First Division they fail to do it."

Aberdeen finally overcame their Livingston hoodoo with a 2-0 win at Pittodrie which sets up a visit in the quarter finals from Celtic, who emerged from a difficult assignment away to Kilmarnock with a 2-0 victory supplied by Garry Hay's own goal and Henrik Larsson's 24th of the season. The holders now go to Pittodrie, the scene of their only domestic defeat this season. Their manager, Martin O'Neill, said: "Apart from facing Rangers away, that is as hard a tie as you can get."

Rangers will also be away, to Second Division Forfar, after a 4-1 defeat of last season's finalists, Hibernian, saw Alex McLeish dispense no favours on the club he left six weeks ago, with Tore Andre Flo netting twice.