Rangers Await Scottish Cup Opponent Amid Ineligible Player Probe

Stranraer knocked Queen's Park on penalties on Tuesday night but the Spiders may get a reprieve Rangers may have to wait to find out who they are facing in the next round of the Scottish Cup – as Stranraer face being thrown out for allegedly fielding an ineligible player. The Stair Park side shocked Queen's Park in their rearranged game on Tuesday night as they advanced on penalties to set up a money-spinning clash at Ibrox. Keeper Lyndon Tas took the plaudits in the shootout, saving the spot-kick from Carlo Pigniatello that sent them through after the 120 minutes finished 1-1. But it's the 17-year-old keeper, who only signed on loan from Hearts earlier that day, who finds himself at the centre of an SFA probe. Regulations state that when a match is postponed, only players who were eligible on the original date can be feature – and that was not the case for Tas. But it's not quite cut and dry and may depend on the exact terms of the loan agreement. There is an exception in cases of 'emergency temporary transfers' where goalkeepers are concerned. And, given Tas was only recruited due to Hamilton recalling usual shotstopper Josh Lane earlier that day, it may provide them a reprieve. Since the January transfer window is open, it's unclear whether the move was put through on those terms or as a standard loan deal. It is now down to Stranraer to plead their case to the SFA and the there will be a disciplinary hearing next Wednesday to discover whether the club breached rule 303. The charge against them states: “Eligibility — clubs shall observe the terms of Competition Rule 12 (Specifically 12.5). "The charge against Stranraer is that they have failed to observe the terms of Competition Rule 12, and in particular 12.5, and did list on their Official Team Line for a rescheduled match a player, namely Lyndon Tas, who was not eligible to be listed on their Official Team Line at the date fixed for originally playing the match, and who was not a recognised goalkeeper pursuant to an emergency temporary transfer approved by the Scottish FA Board.” Queen's Park famously put Rangers out of the tournament at this stage last season in one of the games that spelled the end for Philippe Clement. And should Stranraer be found guilty then it's highly likely they will be thrown out of the competition, with The Spiders travelling to Ibrox for a rematch.