'Sickener' - Tam McManus reacts to announcement today that directly impacts Rangers

Rangers have seen their opponents in the next round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup change.

The Gers had been due to take on Stranraer at Ibrox on 8 February for a place in the quarter-finals of the competitions.

However, it was announced on Wednesday that Stranraer have been expelled from the competition due to fielding an ineligible player in the last round against Queen’s Park.

That means Stranraer miss out on a money-spilling clash with Rangers, with Queen’s Park now Rangers’ next opponents in the competition.

Tam McManus feels for Stranraer after admin error

Rangers eased past Annan Athletic in the last round and will be strong favourites to overcome Queen’s Park, as they would have been against Stranraer.

It is a bizarre situation, but one in which the authorities felt the only right outcome was to boot the lower-league side out of the competition.

For the players that battled so hard to victory over Queen’s Park in the last round, it means no dream trip to Ibrox due to what is effectively an admin error as an ineligible player was fielded.

Tam McManus reacted to the news via X on Wednesday night, posting: “Sickener for everyone at Stranraer that.

“Huge cash windfall lost due to an administration error. Really feel for the players/staff and fans.”

Rangers fans don’t tend to agree with McManus, but it is hard to disagree with these comments on Stranraer.

• Read more: Rangers sit back as record bid for player who wants to join causes conflict

Philippe Clement will still have nightmares about Queen’s Park

Not that Philippe Clement will need reminding, but this will be a repeat of last season’s fifth-round tie.

Rangers were beaten 1-0 by Queen’s Park in what was the worst defeat in the club’s history.

Clement was sacked by Rangers on the back of that defeat, which was the culmination of some terrible results.

Plenty has changed at Ibrox since then, and the thought of losing to Queen’s Park right now under Danny Rohl just does not come into anyone’s thinking.

That is testament to the work the German has done in such a short time, helping to rectify the issues left behind by Clement and – more so – Russell Martin.

Before focus can turn to that Queen’s Park clash, though, Rohl first has games with Porto, Hibernian and Kilmarnock to navigate.

Stay up to date this winter with our Rangers transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Ibrox, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.

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