Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland at Almondvale

Some folk might look at this tie and not be excited by it, but I beg to differ.

I reckon this is going to be a cracker, and what a chance for Cove Rangers to make history and reach the last eight of the competition for the first time.

Whereas Livi have got Stevie May who's literally got the t-shirt (and winner’s medals) when it comes to the Scottish Cup.

And we're up and running...

There are four players involved in West Lothian who have already won the Scottish Cup.

Cove Rangers captain Fraser Fyvie was part of the Hibernian side that lifted the trophy in 2016.

Both Livingston centre backs have also won it. Danny Wilson with Rangers in 2009 and Ryan McGowan with Hearts in 2012.

Then, of course, Livi striker Stevie May has won the Scottish Cup twice! Both times for St Johnstone, first in 2014 and then in 2021.

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St Johnstone have won their past five Scottish Cup meetings with the Accies, the most recent of which came in 2019 when Jason Kerr and Tony Watt were on target in Perth.

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Dundee come into this game on the back of successive 6-0 defeats, to Hearts and Celtic.

The hosts hit Airdrie for six at Dens Park in the League Cup in August and did the same the last time these two met in the Scottish Cup in 2022.

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Hamilton manager John Rankin tells BBC Scotland: "We come to Perth knowing St Johnstone are off the back of a decent run of form.

"It's a free hit, no-one expects us to get anything apart from the boys in the changing room.

"We need to stop their strengths and then go and be a threat ourselves.

"The pitch looks lively, the ball will take a few bobbles so we need to be up for the fight. We're looking forward to the challenge. "

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari tells BBC Scotland: "It was busy [in the transfer window]. We needed some fresh faces.

"I'm pleased with the players we got in and now we need to see them on the field.

"I like to put the new players in because you need to be mentally strong to handle it. We need to play them now, and come 15:00 we need to be ready.

"Results bring a bit of happiness and relief. Last few games we have been solid. We need to defend well today again to give ourselves a chance."

Airdrieonians boss Rhys McCabe tells BBC Scotland: "Last few games, the results have been pleasing. It'll be a stiff test today away from home so we've got to make sure we're on it.

"It's a different competition but in terms of form, we can take great belief. We're hoping we've turned a wee corner and can use that a confidence boost today.

"We've been scoring goals, playing good stuff, and we look like the Airdrie of old. We can't be fearful of what Dundee bring, we've got to impose ourselves."

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty tells BBC Scotland: "There was always an intention to freshen up, I need to make sure there's a real energy in the team. We need to be intense and relentless.

"It's been a really tough schedule of games and I'm pleased that I've got strength to change the squad and not affect the quality.

"Lyall's return of 17 goal contributions in the Premiership is fantastic for a midfielder. I know he'll want to go out there and prove his worth. He wasn't fit during the week but the medics say he's fit enough to play today.

"I expect the same Lyall Cameron who has given his all for Dundee."

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Livingston manager David Martindale tells BBC Sportsound: "We come into the game as favourites but I don't think it's going to be an easy game.

"We don't have any divine right, we've got to play to the best of our abilities, but definitely a good chance to get to the quarter-finals of the cup.

"Paul's done really well with Cove over the years so I think it'll be a difficult game.

"Playing a Wednesday night and a Saturday three o'clock kick-off is asking a lot of the players so if we could, at any stage, make some changes then we will because we've got to look after player wellbeing."

Cove Rangers manager Paul Hartley tells BBC Sportsound: "We're in good form, we're in a good place at this moment in time.

"We're away from home against a very strong Livingston team. People always talk about their physicality but they've got good players who can hurt you.

"We're going to be positive, we're going to give it a go and empty the tank to see where it take us.

"It's a cup game, it's played to a finish, so let's hope we can make a good game of it.

"I've got every faith in the players. Their challenge today is to make a bit of history for the club."

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Andy Fisher, Sam Curtis, Daniels Balodis, Jonathan Svedberg, Elliot Watt and Victor Griffith all arrived at St Johnstone in the January transfer window they all start today.

It highlights the nature of the rebuild Simo Valakari is attempting in Perth.

Taylor Steven was also recently recalled from his loan at Cliftonville, making it seven newish faces for the hosts.

For Hamilton, Connor Smith starts in midfield having made his loan switch from McDiarmid Park to Accies permanent in January.

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Lyall Cameron makes his first Dundee appearance since his pre-contract move to Rangers was announced.

Ziyad Larkeche also comes in for his first start since November, while Clark Robertson, Scott Tiffoney, Jordan McGhee are the other outfield changes.

The other noticeable swap is in goals, where Jon McCracken replaces Trevor Carson - who has picked the ball out the back of his net 12 times in the last two games.

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These two have never been divisional rivals and they have never been Scottish Cup opponents before.

They have, however, met three times in the League Cup, with Livingston picking up three away victories.

Livi are on a run of five straight wins as they push for an immediate return to the top flight, while League One Cove Rangers have won five of their last six.

It's been 115 years since Dundee last took the Scottish Cup home.

The Dee have been to four finals since, the last coming in 2003.

It took Hibs 114 years to break their Hampden hoodoo, so Dundee need to get a shift on.

The original Airdrieonians enjoyed cup success more recently, with their sole success coming in 1924.

Saints lifted the Scottish Cup for the second time in 2021, completing a remarkable cup double that season.

The Perth side are the only side still in existence to boast a 100% record in finals.

Hamilton have been to two finals and lost them both - in 1911 (after a replay with Celtic) and 1935.

St Johnstone: Fisher, Curtis, Mikulic, Balodis, Sprangler, Wright, Watt, Svedberg, Griffith, Steven, Kirk

Substitutes: Sinclair, Mitchell, Holt, Clark, Carey, Sidibeh, Duke-McKenna, Franczak.

Hamilton Academical: Lyness, Bradley, McGowan, McGinty, Lamie, Hendrie, Smith, MacDonald, Maguire, Todorov, O'Hara.

Substitutes: Albinson, Longridge, Henderson, Barjonas, Shaw, Tumilty, McKinstry, Gallacher.

Livingston: Prior, Finlayson, McGowan, Wilson, Fraser, Muirhead, Brandon, Tait, McAlear, Montano, May

Substitutes: Hamilton, Clarke, Pittman, Yengi, Smith, Ubochioma, Nottingham, Shinnie

Cove Rangers: Suman, Lobban, Darge, Doyle, Harrington, Marshall, Fyvie, Yule, Scully, Glass, Megginson

Substitutes: Demus, Murray, Gillingham, McGrath, Gaffney, Parker

Dundee: McCracken, Robertson, Portales, Donnelly, McGhee, Tiffoney, Mulligan, Cameron, Larkeche, Murray, Adewumi.

Substitutes: Carson, Astley, Shaughnessy, Samuels, Garza, Robertson, Lopez, Sylla.

Airdrieonians: Wright, MacDonald, McMaster, Wilson, Frizzell, Bruce, Watson, McGrattan, Gallagher, Mochrie, Graham.

Substitutes: Hutton, Hancock, McGregor, McStravick, Duffy, Cooper, Bannon, Armstrong.