Can underdogs thrive in Women's Scottish Cup quarter-finals?

Rangers travel to face Hibs for the second time in a week

The pursuit of silverware intensifies on Sunday with four intriguing Women's Scottish Cup quarter-final ties and eight teams eager to take another step closer to glory.

Here, we take a look at what is at stake.

Hibs aiming to upset Rangers

Underdogs Hibernian host Rangers for the second time in a week, having lost 3-0 to the leaders in their SWPL meeting.

Defeat in this fixture has become a painfully common occurrence in recent years for Hibs, whose last win over the Ibrox side came in 2019.

Grant Scott's team come into this one with a point to prove after missing out on the SWPL Cup final with last-four defeat by Partick Thistle.

The Edinburgh outfit know what it takes to win the Scottish Cup, having lifted the trophy eight times - but 2018 was the last time they did so.

Rangers, in contrast, have never previously got their hands on the trophy. They came close last year, losing 2-0 to Celtic in the final, and will be desperate to go one better this time around.

Head coach Jo Potter this week extended her contract until 2026 and while her side are already through to the SWPL Cup final and are setting the pace in the league, two draws in their past three games have chipped away at their air of invincibility and could offer Hibs hope.

Might Montrose stun the holders?

Montrose welcome holders Celtic to Links Park, having just put seven goals past relegation rivals Hamilton Academical with an incredible second-half spree last weekend.

But Celtic were also in fine goalscoring form and hit Partick Thistle for six.

Celtic endured a stuttering start under Elena Sadiku, losing the Swede's opening two games in charge in January, and had this cup tie come a few weeks ago Montrose may have been feeling a bit more confident.

However, Sadiku's side are in full flow now and the league meetings this season don't bode well for Montrose. Celtic have won both by a 9-0 scoreline, highlighting the gargantuan challenge Montrose face.

Will Thistle break Hearts?

Brian Graham's Partick Thistle are hoping to continue their quest to make it two finals this season when they take on fourth-placed Hearts.

Thistle have already secured their place in the SWPL Cup showpiece on 24 March thanks to an impressive win over full-time Hibs.

The Glasgow side's preparation for this weekend's assignment hasn't exactly been ideal, losing 6-1 to Celtic last time out, but a fortnight beforehand they become the first time to keep a clean sheet against Rangers this season.

Such defensive nous will be required against a Hearts side who have rattled in 12 goals in a three-game winning streak, with their only loss in 11 matches a narrow defeat by Rangers.

The stakes are high for both teams and an exciting contest awaits.

Livingston plot top-flight scalp

As the only lower-league side left in the competition Livingston will have been relieved to dodge the big guns and land a home tie, but Spartans will by no means be an easy opponent.

The Edinburgh side have been flying high under new boss Jack Beesley, although they were dealt a blow with last weekend's 4-1 defeat by Motherwell.

They come up against a Livingston side who are winless in four SWPL2 matches and 17 points off the top.

Can Livingston summon a seismic performance to claim a memorable upset?