They still talk in Berwick of the day that Rangers crossed the border and came to the English town. The tiny club still holds the distinction of producing the only seismic shock in the history of the competition the Scottish FA Cup, a 1-0 win which reverberated around the world and eventually took their manager Jock Wallace to Ibrox. The only trouble is that it happened 33 years ago and that was the last time that the Scottish Cup's early rounds ever tempted a self-respecting editor to shout "Hold the Front Page!".
Aberdeen go to Paisley to meet St Mirren, lording over the First Division. An 8,600 capacity crowd awaits them at Love Street.
Alex Ferguson managed both clubs before going to Manchester United, and the Saints, after several lean years, appear to be on the mend under Tom Hendrie, another unusual coach. A schoolteacher by trade, he was happy enough to saunter around the little leagues as a part-time boss with Berwick and Alloa Athletic before going full time, and he has three times already this season been named manager of the month.
He has promoted youth, including the sweeper Sergei Baltacha, the Ukrainian whose father, also called Sergei, played for Ipswich and St Johnstone, coached at St Mirren and will be in the stand today.
Steve Paterson, once a Manchester United player, takes Inverness Caledonian Thistle to Celtic Park and, doubtless, another 60,000 crowd. Some 5,000 will be supporting the underdogs and the manager said: "We are not going there simply to make up the numbers." Neither will Julius Francis later in the day, but that is not to say that neither will end up nursing some bruises.
Hibernian, meanwhile, face a tricky task against Dunfermline. "Some of our fans have never seen Hibs win the cup," said their manager, Alex McLeish. The most competitive tie of the round could be tomorrow's meeting of St Johnstone and Rangers at Perth. The holders struggled there in the league last season.
Rangers have made an official approach to Sunderland for the Scotland winger Allan Johnston. The 26-year-old, who joined Bolton on loan this week, has been in dispute with the Wearside club this season after turning down a new contract.
