Rangers wary of Brechin's challenge

Brechin City would create one of the greatest Scottish Cup upsets if they knocked out the holders in the third round at Ibrox today. While the odds do not favour them, there have been enough giant-killers in the past to make Rangers wary of their visitors.

Brechin City would create one of the greatest Scottish Cup upsets if they knocked out the holders in the third round at Ibrox today. While the odds do not favour them, there have been enough giant-killers in the past to make Rangers wary of their visitors.

Just last season, Celtic were humbled 3-1 on their own pitch by Inverness Caledonian Thistle - a result which cost manager John Barnes his job - while Kilmarnock, the 1997 winners, were knocked out by Alloa.

Rangers, too, know all about cup humiliation. In 1967 they were the victims of Scotland's greatest upset when they were beaten by Berwick Rangers. The English side won 1-0 at Sheilfield Park against a team who faced Bayern Munich in the Cup-Winners' Cup final four months later.

Rangers suffered again in 1987 when Hamilton Academical came to Ibrox and beat a side which included the player-manager Graeme Souness - formerly of Liverpool and Sampdoria - and the England internationals Chris Woods and Terry Butcher.

However, despite the evidence of minnows achieving the seemingly impossible, Brechin, whose entire population of 6,000 could get lost in the 55,000-capacity all-seat Ibrox stadium, remain realistic about their chances. "Celtic have gone to Ibrox and lost 5-1, so if we keep it under five we will be happy," said their striker, Lee Bailey. "In fact, we might have a better chance than Celtic because there is no pressure on us at all."