North sides vie for last-16 Scottish Cup places

Following the Premiership Winter Break, it's perhaps a good time to fully embrace 2018 with a return to action in the Scottish Cup for many teams.

Not so the Highland League clubs, with both Brora and Fraserburgh presently involved on the domestic front, with the Cattachs seventh in the table and the Broch tucked in behind league leaders Cove Rangers.

It's perhaps not the draw Brora might have anticipated following their exploits in the Third Round, having won 1-0 against League One Stranraer. Once again Ross Tokely's side have League One opposition away from home as they head to play East Fife.

That's in contrast to Fraserburgh with the dream draw of Rangers at the Bellslea. Mark Cowie's side face the 33 times Champions with the Broch boss realistic about the challenge ahead:

"It's about taking our chances when they come along, but a lot of things will have to go our way, in terms of the weather for instance, but nobody expects us to win. There's no pressure on us - the guys will be nervous - but we're not expected to get anything, so just go out, enjoy it and play our own game"

Enjoying the Premiership Winter Break, Ross County head south to face Kilmarnock, having defeated and drawn against the Rugby Park outfit.

Some in the top flight have jetted off to the likes of Florida and Dubai, but Staggies midfielder Michael Gardyne is well aware of their present league woes - propping up the table after Christmas.

"I don't really think in our position we deserve it!" says Gardyne when considering those clubs who've been training abroad.

"We got a few days to spend with our families, but we've been back in and working hard. It's a good chance to spend a bit more time on things and for the gaffer to work with the squad"

Last time out County suffered defeat at the hands of Partick, losing 2-0 at Firhill.

"When you have a defeat, and being in the position we're in, we wanted to get over the disappointment as soon as possible so the worst thing is having that gap since the Partick game" said Gardyne.

"A cup run is always great... having been to the final it'd be great to experience that once again" - Michael Gardyne

Back in September County won 2-0 at Rugby Park to mark Owen Coyle's first game in charge.

"I think we played really well back then, but obviously it's a much-changed Kilmarnock under their new manager"

"They've only had two defeats since then and picked up some really good results - some against the Old Firm - so it's a very different side we face now" said Gardyne.

A veteran of the 2010 cup final, he said: "A cup run is always great for any football club and having been to the final it'd be great to experience that once again"

"Starting off on a good run again would be a boost, and hopefully that time's come now"

For Caley Thistle - winners back in 2015 - they also face an away tie against Premiership opposition with Dundee at Dens Park.

ICT coach Scott Kellacher believes the challenge of Neil McCann's side makes it easy for Inverness to go into the game:

"We're in a good run of form - just like Dundee - we're a club that's always enjoyed the cup games and we'll give it a good go. It'll hopefully show us how far we've come and where we want to get back to. We've mixed it up a little of late and we've got good competition for places there are plenty of the boys hungry for places in the side"

Kellacher said that ICT also have a proud cup tradition to uphold: "Hopefully we can have a good cup run - we've had them many times in previous years and been to cup finals and semis - and we want to start that again this week"