Saturday’s two quarter-finals both feature a team facing a crisis against another riding on a high of critical acclaim.
Storm clouds have gathered above Ibrox early into Martin’s reign, with the Union Bears fans group planning a protest before Saturday’s visit by Hibernian after calling for the head coach and chief executive Patrick Stewart to be sacked with their side sitting third bottom of the Premiership.
Rangers’ American chairman Andrew Cavenagh will reportedly attend after Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by Hearts left Martin’s side without a win in five outings since an unconvincing 4-2 defeat of third-tier Alloa Athletic in the previous round.
In his hour of need, will Martin recall Nicolas Raskin after saying the situation that led to the Belgium midfielder being dropped had been resolved but adding that the 24-year-old had to earn the trust of his team-mates and coaching staff?
Disjointed Rangers need all hands on deck if they are to beat Hibs for the first time in four meetings since a 1-0 victory at Ibrox almost exactly a year ago.
David Gray’s side won 2-0 on their last visit in April and head to Glasgow unbeaten in three games, albeit the latest two have been draws, and sitting seven places above their hosts in the top flight.
Before that 17:45 kick-off, at 15:00, Motherwell visit an Aberdeen side who have consistently reached the latter stages of cup competitions in recent seasons, including lifting the Scottish Cup last term.
That, though, masked poor end-of-season league form and their only win in seven games this term has come away to second-tier Greenock Morton in the previous round of the League Cup.
Thelin’s side sit bottom of the Premiership and have not scored in four league matches, which means fans at Pittodrie are growing restless while demanding an upturn in form.
Motherwell’s style of play has been completely transformed by Jens Berthel Askou, with the Steelmen earning praise for their fluid, possession style which has lead to a 10-game unbeaten run to start the season.
The only problem is, they have drawn all five of their league games and needed extra time to see off St Johnstone in the last round, due to their inability to convert their dominance into goals.
Both sides could do with a win to kickstart their campaign properly.
