Normally, a home Scottish Cup quarter-final tie against lower-league opposition would represent the ideal scenario for a club such as Aberdeen.

Throw in the fact that today’s opposition haven’t made an appearance in the last four since 1928, and progression should be considered a formality. That’s the theory anyway.

Try telling that to anyone associated with Queen’s Park.

Four weeks have passed since the Championship side pulled off one of Scottish football’s greatest ever shocks by dumping Rangers out of the competition on their own turf.

Even manager Callum Davidson looked a little lost for words in the aftermath. Which is strange, considering it was he who led St Johnstone to a scarcely believable domestic cup double in 2021.

While it’s too much of a stretch — even for Davidson — to take the Spiders all the way this time around, there’s plenty of reasons to believe he can at least add another scalp to his collection this weekend and keep the cup dream alive for a little while longer.

Queen’s Park stunned Rangers at Ibrox in the previous round to set up Aberdeen tie

Spiders manager Callum Davidson won the Scottish Cup with St Johnstone in 2021

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin is fully aware of the threat posed by today’s visitors

True, the Dons appear to have recovered from a dismal run which threatened to undo all of the good work done in the opening months of the campaign.

But it’s been a long way off the kind of form which saw them previously tipped as title contenders — and that should give today’s visitors cause for optimism.

Defensively, Jimmy Thelin’s men continue to look a mess. It’s an issue which has plagued them all season, and one which the manager has yet to fix.

The constant tinkering with centre-back pairings can’t have helped, nor has the absence of Dimitar Mitov in goal, but the problems run far deeper than that.

Responsibility doesn’t just fall at the feet of those in the back line. The team as a whole have been far too easy to play through, making clean sheets hard to come by.

Queen’s frontman Zak Rudden will no doubt relish the prospect of ruffling a few feathers this afternoon.

Slow starts have also been a bit of a recurring theme for today’s hosts, as demonstrated once again during last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Dundee United.

Of course, the team deserve credit for fighting back from 2-0 down in the second half to secure a well-deserved point against one of their main rivals for a European spot, but it’s a position they’ve found themselves in far too often.

The Dons had to fight back from 2-0 down at half-time against Dundee United last weekend 

For the most part, they’ve been able to dig themselves out of trouble. Thelin hasn’t been shy in making half-time changes in an effort to turn the tide, yet surely he must be getting tired of having to turn to his bench when his starters aren’t doing the business?

Queen’s Park proved too tough a nut for Rangers to crack after going ahead at Ibrox. They may not be easy on the eye, but they are effective. 

No one would suggest they have the same quality as any of the top-tier sides, let alone one with the spending power of Aberdeen. 

But in terms of heart, desire, and discipline, they are a match for anyone.

Quite simply, Aberdeen can ill afford to get sucked into a war of attrition, as was the case last August when the sides met in the Premier Sports last 16.

Topi Keskinen’s stoppage-time winner was enough to see the Dons over the line on that occasion. They certainly made hard work of it.

At least this time they can call on the talents of Kevin Nisbet. Needless to say the ex-Hibernian man hasn’t had the best of times since returning north of the border in the summer.

Despite his struggles to nail down a regular starting spot at Millwall, his loan signing was regarded as a major coup for Aberdeen.

Yet for much of this season, he has looked miles off it, prompting speculation that he would be sent back to the English Championship in January.

Aberdeen striker Kevin Nisbet has rediscovered his shooting boots in recent weeks

That never came to fruition and, at the moment, it’s working out well for both parties.

His double against United took his recent goal tally to four in six games, with a couple of assists in there for good measure. too.

There’s even talk of the 27-year-old forcing his way back into Steve Clarke’s thinking for Scotland’s upcoming Nations League double header. Steady on.

There’s no doubt, however, that he looks like a player transformed. Funny what a bit of confidence can do.

If Aberdeen are to have any chance of lifting the Scottish Cup for the first time in over three decades, his contribution will be key.

Any thoughts of celebrating come the end of May must be shelved for now, though. Queen’s Park first, Hampden Park later.