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SCOTTISH FOOTBALL : Stenhousemuir's historic moment

David McKinney
Monday 20 February 1995 01:02 GMT
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For the first time in their 111-year history, the warriors lived up to their nickname. Stenhousemuir, who have spent every one of those years in splendid anonymity in the lower reaches of Scottish football, found out on Saturday that every dog does indeed have his day, no matter how long the wait.

After causing ripples with their 4-0 win over St Johnstone in the third round, they produced a tidal wave of surprise by knocking Aberdeen out of the Tennents Scottish Cup.

Two goals from a dairy farmer, Tommy Steel, created the biggest day ever at Ochilview Park for the 200-1 Cup outsiders, while for Roy Aitken, the Aberdeen manager, the result was a return to earth following last Sunday's victory over Rangers.

Stenhousemuir's deserved reward is a home tie in the quarter-finals with another Premier Division side, Hibernian. Hibs qualified after beating Motherwell 2-0 at Easter Road, with goals from Kevin Harper and Pat McGinlay.

The holders, Dundee United, eased past Huntly from the Highland League 3-1, in a game held up for some time after a barrier collapsed under the larger than usual crowd. The United captain, Maurice Malpas, scored his first goal for three years to help set up a quarter-final tie with the winners of tonight's tie between Hearts and Rangers.

The bad news for Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, is that he could be without the services of his goalkeeper, Andy Goram, for almost the rest of the season. Goram, who has been injured since 7 January, might require an operation on an Achilles tendon injury, which would mean an absence of a couple of months. That would also keep him out of Scotland's squad to face Russia on 29 March.

Celtic will face Kilmarnock at Hampden, after both progressed with ease against lesser opposition in Meadowbank and East Fife respectively, while Raith Rovers and Airdrie will meet in an all First Division match.

TENNENTS SCOTTISH CUP Quarter-final draw: Celtic v Kilmarnock; Raith Rovers v Airdrie; Hearts or Rangers v Dundee United; Stenhousemuir v Hibernian. Ties to be played Saturday 11 March.

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