Historic Upset; Queen’s Park Stuns Rangers in Scottish Cup

2025-03-01

Queen’s Park pulled off one of the biggest shocks in Scottish football history by defeating Rangers 1-0 in the Scottish Cup fifth round at Ibrox on 9 February 2025. The second-tier side, managed by Callum Davidson, secured their first victory over Rangers in the competition since 1882, thanks to a 69th-minute goal from substitute Seb Drozd. The win was sealed by goalkeeper Calum Ferrie, who saved a stoppage-time penalty from Rangers captain James Tavernier.

The result marked the first time since 1966-67 that Rangers had been knocked out of the Scottish Cup by lower-league opposition. The defeat piled further pressure on Rangers manager Philippe Clement, whose side had already been struggling in the Scottish Premiership, sitting 13 points adrift of the league leaders. Clement described the loss as “super-frustrating,” admitting his team had created 30 chances but failed to convert any.

Queen’s Park, Scotland’s oldest league club, will now progress to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1983. Their manager, Callum Davidson, praised his players for their resilience, particularly given the team’s injury issues, which left them with only four fit defenders. Davidson, who watched the match from the stands due to a suspension, hailed Ferrie’s performance as “outstanding.”

The victory was celebrated by Liverpool and Scotland defender Andrew Robertson, a former Queen’s Park player, who took to social media to congratulate his old club, calling it a “massive day” for them. The result has been widely regarded as one of the greatest upsets in Scottish football history, with bookmakers giving Queen’s Park even less chance of winning than other famous giant-killers like Darvel and Brora Rangers.