Brora Rangers 2 - 1 Hearts RECAP: Embarrassing exit for the Championship leaders to fifth tier Highlanders
The Jam Tarts will face the Highlanders for the first time when they run out at Dudgeon Park, 210 miles from Tynecastle Park for a place in the third round and a home tie with League Two side Stranraer.
Hearts come into the match having drawn 0-0 with Arbroath at the weekend, while the Highland League opponents have not played in ten weeks. They have played just one friendly and only been able to hold a handful of training sessions.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIt took seven attempts for Brora to complete their first round tie with Camelon to set up the clash with Championship league leaders Hearts.
Robbie Neilson will make a few changes from the side which drew on Saturday with international call-ups and suspensions forcing his hand.
We will have live coverage with updates, reaction and analysis throughout the evening.
Brora Rangers v Hearts LIVE: Updates, reaction and analysis from Scottish Cup clash
FT analysis
There is not insightful, tactical analysis about that game.
It was a match where a collective football team embarrassed themselves.
The worst result in living memory for Heart of Midlothian Football Club and it was fully deserved.
The team have been plodding to the Championship title despite the huge gap to second place. The team have been asking for a proper shock, more than Alloa in the cup or going down 3-0 to Raith after 55 minutes. Well, a proper shock has been delivered.
In a strange way, it isn’t THAT much of a shock.
The fall-out from that game will be severe. Hearts fans are not happy. Hearts fans haven’t been happy with their club in a while. And understandably so.
An embarrassing and downright pathetic night for the football club.
2-1... Brora
The Highland League team are back in front. A free-kick deep in the corner catches out Ross Stewart who didn’t get enough purchase on his punch and it is turned in by Martin Maclean who fires into the roof of the net.
What a save!
Hearts should really be level. A corner from the left finds Halkett’s head at the back post. His powerful header looks like it is finding the bottom corner but Malin claws it out from the line.
Should be 1-1
Some lovely play between Boyce and Gnanduillet sees the latter tee up Walker but he ballooned the ball over the bar.
GMS again
Of course, GMS fires in across to Boyce after good play from White but it hits the striker and goes out.