There are also tough tests against Championship opposition for Ross County and St Johnstone.

Partick Thistle travel north to face County with revenge in mind. The sides meet again for the first time since last season's epic play-off final, which saw County retain their Premiership status on penalties after a remarkable Thistle collapse.

It will add more than a pinch of spice to their cup meeting, with Thistle challenging for the Championship and County having won just two of their last nine matches.

Saints - another bottom-half Premiership side - had a miserable League Cup group campaign at the start of this season and are also tasked with safely negotiating a tricky tie at in-form Airdrieonians.

Second-tier title hopefuls Raith Rovers will fancy their chances at Livingston, who are anchored to the bottom of the Premiership and on a miserable 13-game winless run.

Despite suffering back-to-back Championship defeats in their last two outings, Ian Murray's Rovers are still challenging at the top of the table as they sit level on points with leaders Dundee United.

As for Livingston, it has been a grim campaign as their six-year Premiership status is in jeopardy, with David Martindale's side six points adrift at the foot of the table.

Eleven defeats in their last 13 games, plus a serious lack of goals, sent the West Lothian club into the winter break battered and bruised, but could a victory today ignite their campaign?

New arrival Shaun Donnellan could make his debut off the bench for Livingston this afternoon, as could goalkeeper Michael McGovern should anything untoward occur to returning number one Shamal George.

17-year-old academy graduate Sam Culbert could also make his senior debut if brought on at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Otherwise there are no shocks from David Martindale as Stephen Kelly and Mohammed Sangare return alongside George to the starting XI.

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Spartans manager Dougie Samuel tells BBC Scotland: "It's a huge sense of pride. In terms of the players, I couldn't be prouder. They've created a special memory for the Spartans family.

"They gave everything for each other. The connection around this group of players is special.

"It's come in a nice stage of the season. We go again next week. We've got aspirations of finishing in the top four."

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Hearts boss Steven Naismith tells BBC Scotland: "We never panicked. We just kept doing the same things. We probably didn't create enough good chances.

"The calmness to the end is the pleasing aspect. They're a well-organised team. They were going to make it tough for us, and they did.

"This is cup competition. It's going to be rough and tumble. There's no VAR, you need to understand what's coming.

"Frankie [Kent] is a threat for us. He gets the first contact a lot. You're just delighted that he's got you a winner in what is a very tough cup tie."

The somewhat surprising team news for Kilmarnock is that Mark Birighitti (remember him?) is in their matchday squad.

The Australian goalkeeper has been signed on an emergency seven-day loan from Dundee United because first-choice Will Dennis has picked up a minor injury. Kieran O'Hara starts in goal.

Greg Stewart also makes the bench following his return to Rugby Park.

For Dundee, new boys Curtis Main, Owen Dodgson and Ryan Astley are all named as substitutes by manager Tony Docherty.

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Midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu, on loan from Celtic, makes his St Mirren debut this afternoon, while there's a first start for defender Elvis Bwomono.

Club captain Mark O'Hara misses out with an injury.

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On-loan Celtic wing-back Adam Montgomery is thrown straight into the Motherwell line-up for his debut, while yesterday's signing from Hearts, Andy Halliday, is named on the bench.

Lennon Miller returns to make the bench, but there's no room for Oli Shaw.

There are four former Motherwell players in the Alloa line-up - PJ Morrison, Steven Hetherington, Morgyn Neill and Conor Sammon.

Will any of them come back to haunt their former employer?

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This man can be really proud of his players.

Twelve years at the club, today will no doubt be one of the biggest.

The SPFL's new kids just ran the current third-best side in the country mightily close.

Fair play 🤝

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Hearts match-winner Frankie Kent tells BBC Scotland: "It's a tough game. We stuck in there.

"We controlled the game but they had their moments. What a goal that was [from them]. I turned around and I was like 'wow'.

"The nerves go when that goes in. Thankfully we got the goal at the end."

Asked if they can win the competition, he adds: "Of course. We've got our own confidence in how we've been playing and hopefully we can continue that."

New signings George Wickens and and Eli King - on loan from Fulham and Birmingham City respectively - make their debuts for Ross County against Thistle.

Ex-Manchester Utd left-back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, signed on loan last week from Slask Wroclaw, is on the bench.

There's a first Hibs start for teenage midfielder Rudi Molotnikov today at third-tier Forfar.

Apart from that, it's a pretty experienced team selected by manager Nick Montgomery.

New signing Myziane Maolida doesn't feature at all.

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We'll provide more reaction from Ainslie Park as we get it.

Until then, let's turn attention to the 15:00 ties...

THAT is how you start a Scottish Cup Saturday.

More of the same, please, from these *counts* 12 ties...

You'll get updated with every goal - and plenty more - right here, plus listen along on Sportsound.

Relief for Hearts as League 2 Spartans give them a real scare.

You'll be hard pressed to see a better goal in the Scottish Cup this season than James Craigen's equaliser. Simply sensational.

But Frankie Kent's header at the death sees the Premiership side progress to the next round. Job done, even if it was far from straightforward.

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Aidan Denholm enters the fray as Alan Forrest makes way. We're over the three additional minutes.