Just twelve months ago, Seb Drozd was a relatively unknown figure, even within his own household. Yet, merely two minutes after stepping onto the hallowed turf of Ibrox Stadium, he etched his name into the annals of Scottish Cup folklore with a stunning match-winning goal.
A Legacy of Shock Results
For the current generation of Rangers supporters, the mention of Drozd evokes the same unwelcome memories as Sammy Reid in 1967 and Adrian Sprott in 1987—players who scored decisive goals for Berwick Rangers and Hamilton Accies respectively in previous tournament calamities for the Glasgow giants.
Drozd, a 22-year-old striker, became the headline act of an historic afternoon, scoring what seemed like a textbook once-in-a-lifetime goal. However, fate has intervened to offer him an extraordinary opportunity for an encore.
"Unreal, Man" – Drozd's Reaction
In conversation about Queen's Park making the trip to Govan once more for Scottish Cup fifth round business, Drozd succinctly describes the prospect as "unreal, man". Like all Spiders fans, he believed their chance had vanished when they lost on penalties to Stranraer last month.
Yet, a reprieve arrived when it emerged that Stranraer's goalkeeper Lyndon Tas, the shoot-out hero, had been ineligible due to a loan registration error. Queen's Park could empathise, having fallen foul of a similar player registration blunder three years prior with Euan Henderson.
"We've got a little bit of luck," admits Drozd, "and sometimes that's what you need in the cup. We now get to go to Ibrox again. We beat Rangers there once, so why not do it again?"
A Changed Squad
Most of Drozd's teammates from that famous victory, along with manager Callum Davidson, have since moved on. The journeyman nature of that side is highlighted by their current clubs: Will Tizzard, Josh Scott, Kyle Hurst, and Jack Turner now ply their trade in the fifth and sixth tiers of English football.
However, one key figure from 2025 will join Drozd in attempting to prove lightning can strike twice: goalkeeper Calum Ferrie.
Ferrie's Historic Performance
If Drozd's 69th-minute winner—coming from Queen's Park's only attempt at goal after he came on as a substitute—will live forever in club folklore, so too will Ferrie's staggering display. Facing 28 Rangers attempts, Ferrie made nine saves, some truly exceptional, and crucially denied James Tavernier's stoppage-time penalty.
It prompted then-Rangers manager Philippe Clement to observe that the 27-year-old had produced "the game of his life". Reflecting now, Ferrie doesn't disagree.
"In terms of the magnitude of the game and how it unfolded, it probably was," said Ferrie. "It's certainly one I'll remember for the rest of my life. To save a penalty in the last minute at Ibrox is probably the dream scenario for a goalkeeper."
A Transformed Rangers
Although Clement limped on for another two weeks before his sacking, the writing was on the wall after that defeat, with Rangers 13 points behind Celtic in the Premiership at the time. The club is now on its third managerial appointment since, including Barry Ferguson's interim spell.
After a disarrayed start under Russell Martin, the mood at Ibrox is far brighter under Danny Rohl. Ferrie acknowledges this means Queen's Park face less vulnerable opponents, but believes a break from their own Championship relegation struggles could galvanise Sean Crighton's side.
"Rangers are in a better position than they were last year, in terms of being in a title fight," added Ferrie. "But we know how we can go there and make it awkward for them. The pressure is on Rangers, so that's something we can hopefully enjoy and play with a bit of freedom."
Family Support and High Stakes
The Queen's Park players have faced high demand for tickets, with Ferrie anticipating a rare visit from his older brother Gregor, a youth coach in Utah. "He is flying over from America for the game," said Ferrie. "He was very angry with himself that he didn't make it last year, so he decided to spend the money and come over."
Ferrie, a consistently excellent performer in the Championship, will likely need to be at his best again if Queen's Park are to defy the odds and reach the quarter-finals for a second successive season. He has a sneaking feeling that Drozd is primed to deliver at the other end.
"Seb has been playing with real confidence in recent weeks," said Ferrie. "He's got a few goals and assists. He's a very talented footballer with good technical ability, as he showed in that split second at Ibrox last year. It was a dream scenario for both of us last year and hopefully he can better it."
As the squad prepares, Ferrie captures the collective excitement: "It's a game for all of us to be excited about. It's the same for those of us who played last year as it is for the newer lads in the squad who are playing at Ibrox for the first time. I can't wait."
