Celtic manager Martin O'Neill believes a draw against Inverness Caledonian
Thistle was on the cards in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.
The Hoops have been handed a trip to the Highlands in the last eight after
overcoming St Johnstone in the previous round.
Caley caused one of the biggest Cup shocks ever in 2000 when they beat Celtic
3-1 at Parkhead to signal the end of John Barnes' reign as head coach.
But, despite defeating Inverness 4-2 in the CIS Insurance Cup in October,
O'Neill insists his team must be on their guard to prevent a similar outcome.
O'Neill told www.celticfc.net: "It's a difficult away tie and one that,
amazingly, I thought we might get.
"When it comes round we will look forward to it although we know it will be
tough.
"We've already played Inverness Caley Thistle in the CIS Cup here at Celtic
Park this season but it will be a different game away from home.
"I watched them before our last meeting and I know they'll be a handful.
"They have some decent players and it will be a difficult tie."
Rangers boss Alex McLeish will also face some old friends after being paired
away to the winners of the Dunfermline-Hibernian replay in the last eight.
McLeish told www.rangers.co.uk: "I believe that 11 out of the last 13 cup
ties Rangers have played have been away from home so we are having to do things
the hard way.
"It's going to be a tough tie for us whoever wins the replay.
"If it is Hibs, then there is every chance we could be playing at Easter Road
five times this season.
"We've already played them there twice in the league and also in the CIS Cup
and we have every chance of being drawn to play them again after the SPL split.
"Only in Scotland could something like this happen.
"Similarly, we have been to East End Park three times this season - twice in
the league and in the CIS Cup.
"We have done well to reach the final of the CIS and it is going to be a case
of trying to get to Hampden again in the Scottish Cup the hard way.
"It's going to be another test of the players' resilience and ability but we
know what both teams are all about and what we will face at either venue."
Motherwell face an awkward trip to Second Division Stranraer, who will play in
the last eight for the first time in their history after defeating Morton 2-0 on
Saturday.
Dundee also face a potential shock when they travel to First Division leaders
Falkirk, who dumped Hearts out of the competition with a comprehensive 4-0
victory.
The draw for the Tennent's Scottish Cup quarter-finals is as follows:
Stranraer v Motherwell
Dunfermline Athletic or Hibernian v Rangers
Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Celtic
Falkirk v Dundee
Ties to be played weekend of March 22nd.
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