“It’s another away tie and, whoever it is, if we are going to win the cup this season we are certainly going to have to do it the hard way,” admitted United boss Peter Houston.

City neighbours Dundee have been handed a possible repeat of their Co-op Cup clash with Aberdeen earlier this season. Though, like United, the Dark Blues will have to wait for the outcome of a replay — this one between the Dons and Raith Rovers.

The fact they were pulled out of the hat first, was all that mattered to Dundee boss Jocky Scott.

He said, “I’m happy we’ve got a home draw — that was what we were looking for.

“The fact it could be Aberdeen again makes it all the more exciting. The League Cup tie at Dens earlier this season was a great game and a great atmosphere. But, regardless of who it is, it’s a game we can go into with a fair degree of confidence.”

Meanwhile, Dundee backer Calum Melville has told satellite broadcasters Sky, choosing the Dundee v. Aberdeen tie for live coverage is a no-brainer.

Melville was unhappy the five-goal Co-op Cup thriller between the pair wasn’t screened live and, within minutes of this afternoon’s draw, was taking steps to avoid a repeat of that mistake.

“It was a great cup-tie when we beat Aberdeen here and I’m sure it would be just as good again if they get through to the quarter-finals of the Scottish,” he said.

“I’m getting in touch with Sky to tell them that, because I can’t see a better advert for Scottish football than us and Aberdeen battling it out in front of a big crowd at Dens.”

Elsewhere, Hibs, who’ve already beaten Irvine Meadow and Montrose at Easter Road in this season’s competition, were handed another home tie against lower-league opposition in the shape of Ross County.

Celtic, meanwhile, will travel to face Kilmarnock, a side who beat them at Rugby Park only last week.

Full draw: Dundee v. Raith or Aberdeen; Hibs v. Ross County; Kilmarnock v. Celtic; St Mirren or Rangers v. Dundee United. Ties on weekend of March 13/14.

“We’ve been on a decent run, but I don’t think any of our results have been better than that one at Douglas Park,” said Houstie.

“I thought that at the time and that was quickly confirmed by the troubles Rangers had there in the league and the Scottish Cup. As we have found to our cost both home and away, nothing comes easy against them and I know tonight will be no different.”

Some may believe he’s being over-cautious as he prepares for a clash with a team who have not won in seven league outings since a shock 2-1 success at Aberdeen in early December.

That run has seen Accies fall into the relegation place, but Peter is quick to point to United’s troubles against them over the past couple of seasons as proof of the ability in Billy Reid’s squad.

“Here at Tannadice, we’ve only managed to draw with them twice thanks to extremely late equalisers from us and we’ve had problems down there as well,” he added.

“On top of that, while they have not been on the best of runs, as a rule no-one has been hammering them. They are a team that gives very little away and I think it is going to be a game where we have to work very hard to win. It would be great to think we can get an early goal that opens them up a bit, but we have to prepare for a night where patience from players and fans might be the key.

“At their place last month, we had to grind out the win with a late goal and, if that’s the case again, we have to be ready to do that.”

United look set to be without Andy Webster again because of calf trouble and know for definite regular full-backs Paul Dixon and Mihael Kovacevic will be missing.

They remain hopeful of clearance coming through in time for new signing Pavels Mihadjuks to make his debut and, that being the case, he will line up on the right of the defence with Sean Dillon switching to the left.

And his new gaffer is confident the Latvian will settle quickly.

“So far as clearance goes, we’ve got a couple of contacts over there and Pavels knows a few people who can, hopefully, make sure it comes in time. In terms of him playing, he is an experienced player who knows what this league is all about, so I think he’ll handle it.”

However, the Honest Men made life tough for Dundee in the cup-tie, and boss Jocky Scott accepts playing the same team back-to-back can throw up its own problems.

“It can be awkward facing the same opposition in consecutive games, but we can go down there with confidence in the knowledge that we beat them at Dens,” said Jocky.

“They will, obviously, be trying to counter-act the things we did at the weekend, but this is a game we’ve got to win and that’s what we’ll be trying to do.”

Dundee will have someone watching Ayr tonight, when they play host to Partick Thistle.

Meanwhile, David Cowan has suffered a setback as he battles back from injury.

The defender, out for almost three months due to a groin problem, returned to training this week, but had to stop after feeling discomfort in the troublesome area.

“I don’t think it’s as serious as the damage he had before, but it’s understandable that the boy is cautious about any pain,” said Jocky.

“We’ll keep an eye on it over the next few days.”

Long-term casualty Kevin Rutkiewicz continued his comeback in a closed doors win over Morton, but tonight comes too soon for him.

However, Collin Samuel is in the squad and, after playing for an hour against Morton, could find a place either from the start or on the bench. The striker has been out for several weeks following knee surgery.

New boys Mark Connolly and Michael Duberry are also in the pool.

Duberry made his first start in Saturday’s home loss to Dundee United and Saints team boss Derek McInnes said, “I hope he can have a big influence. He’s settled in well.”

The Perth team have won in the Scottish Cup and drawn in the league at St Mirren’s new stadium and are hoping their good record there will continue.

“After successive cup defeats last week by Rangers and Dundee United, we’re keen to pick up in the SPL and will, hopefully, come away with something tonight,” Derek added.

“The Morton match also gave Kevin Rutkiewicz and Collin Samuel some game time and that’s why Collin is in the pool for this game.

“I was happy with the way that game went. I was able to put out a mixture of players, some young and some experienced and, by the end, we had seven young lads on the park against a full-strength Morton side.”

Derek will harbour no feelings of resentment at St Mirren Park.

The Perth men went out in last week’s Co-op Cup semi-finals, while the Buddies won through against Hearts.

“I am delighted for Gus MacPherson in getting to the final,” he said.

For his part, MacPherson insists the SPL remains the priority.

“Everybody connected with the club would understand how important the SPL is,” said MacPherson, whose side also have a Scottish Cup fifth-round replay at Rangers to look forward to. “The cup games take care of themselves.”