CAN ANYONE STOP THE BIG FOUR MARCHING ON TOWARDS HAMPDEN?

CELTIC, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hearts. Pair them off in whatever order and you’ve got a sponsors’ dream of a Scottish Cup semi-final line-up. Now, all they have to do is make it through the quarter-finals intact. What could possibly go wrong? All favourites to progress this weekend, the quartet may not technically be the four best teams in Scotland; Hibs would argue that being nine points clear of their Edinburgh rivals is a truer measure of quality than their one-off derby defeat in the fifth round. But few would dispute the idea that the group most likely to progress to the semis are the four biggest — most wellsupported and, therefore, wealthiest — clubs in the land. And, to each of them, the prospect of going all the way in the competition means something truly magical. Here, Sportsmail looks at the big guns still in the draw, their chances of making it to the last four — and why the Cup would be so precious to them.

ABERDEEN

(QF opponents: Kilmarnock at Pittodrie)

Chances: Up against Scotland’s form team, the Dons will still fancy themselves to win a tight one at home.

Why it matters: The League Cup win in season 2013-14 was great, but it’s not the Scottish Cup. Dons fans understandably

crave the prestige that a Cup win for the first time since 1990 would bring — and Derek McInnes shares that hunger. CELTIC (QF opponents: Morton at Celtic Park)

Chances: It would be an enormous surprise if the Championship challengers knocked off the holders at home.

Why it matters: Celtic have been wobbling just a little on the home front this season. A second successive Treble, assuming they win the league, would make a very strong statement.

HEARTS

(QF opponents: Motherwell at Fir Park) Chances: No banker, this. The Steelmen are actually marginal favourites with the bookies. But what do they know, right?

Why it matters: Hearts have a special relationship with the Scottish Cup. But it’s been beastly to them since their 2012 win. Time to make amends.

(QF opponents: Falkirk at Ibrox)

Chances: No easy games, always room for a shock, magic of the Cup … but surely this one goes to form.

Why it matters: The Rangers players who win the club’s first major trophy since the trauma of 2012, completing the fabled ‘journey’, will be heroes forever. Is that enough?