THE top Scottish clubs kick off on the trail of Cup glory today - and they could be on the road to Hampden. The national stadium in Glasgow will be a building site come the date of the final on Saturday, May 18th but the Scottish FA seem unlikely to move the traditional end of season showpiece away from Hampden despite a cut in capacity.
Only an Old Firm meeting of Celtic and Rangers, and all the pressure for tickets that would create might force a rethink.
Non League pair Keith and Whitehill have already been dismissed as 20,000 to 1 shots to win the Scottish Cup. But other clubs may fancy their chances as they enter third round ties, weather permitting.
The undersoil beating at Easter Road should ensure Hibernian take on Kilmarnock today before Whitehill meet Celtic on the same Edinburgh turf 48 hours later.
Hibernian have not won the Cup since they beat Celtic 1-0 in 1902. Alex Miller's side took Celtic to a replay in the semi final last season but once again failed at the last four hurdle.
Kilmarnock could be unchanged for the fifth game in a row after being unbeaten in 1996. "We will take a big support to Edinburgh and there is something special about third round day," said Rugby Park manager Alex Totten. "It's not the tie we would have chosen but we have to get on with it."
Dundee travel to Broadwood to meet second division Clyde keen to repeat the heroics which took them to the League Cup final before losing to Aberdeen.
Berwick Rangers entertain Dundee United, for whom Dave Bowman plays his last game before starting a four match suspension. David Hannah could return but Maurice Malpas may miss out.
The Motherwell v Aberdeen tie has been chosen for television coverage by Sky Sports next Tuesday night.
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