Hibs don’t have their problems to seek right now as they prepare for their Gayfield test. Come kick-off, they will have it all to lose as they seek a quarter-final berth.

Arbroath’s remarkable run under Dick Campbell could yet take them all the way to the Premiership this term but it is a cup fairy tale that they are aiming to be at the centre of this weekend.

“Oh, totally, I’m sure that’s why it got put on the telly,” Stevenson said when asked if some observers might be eyeing a potential upset at Gayfield. “But that’s why you need big characters.

“I’ve played in a lot of these games in the past and touch wood we’ve come out on top in most of them.

“We have to win it. It might be dirty, it might be a horrible win, a 1-0 scraped win, or we might play really well. But all we’re focusing on is getting a result.

“[The fans have] been with us, especially at the Hearts game where it was nice to almost get them back on our side but we need to give them something to shout about.

“We’re not scoring enough goals and when they follow us through thick and thin in weather like this [snow] it does make a massive difference when they’re on our side.

“They’re doing well sticking by us and we just have to give them something to shout about.”

Arbroath find themselves five points clear at the top of the Championship and their destiny is in their own hands as they dare to dream of promotion to the top flight.

Their form at Gayfield has been an integral part of their success so far and Stevenson will now get his first experience of the unique surroundings in Angus.

Stevenson said: “They’re flying, they’ve been winning all season. I’ve never actually played there but I’ve obviously seen them on the telly a few times this season, and they’ve got good players, good attacking players.

“I know a few of them from when we played in the Championship so I know it’s going to be a tough game – a different kind of game to Rangers, but just as hard.

“I’ve never played there, not even in pre-season, but you’d be surprised at how many grounds I haven’t played at.

“They’re flying, they score a lot of goals, and it’s going to be a battle. We need to roll our sleeves up. It’s a must-win game.

“Nothing else matters apart from this game and it will maybe take our mind off the league for a wee bit, being able to focus on the cup. We just need to roll the sleeves up and start taking our chances.”

While Arbroath are in fine form and high spirits ahead of their shot at cup glory, Hibernian continued their miserable recent run with a 2-0 defeat to Rangers on Wednesday night.

Stevenson was utilised in an unfamiliar midfield role at Ibrox. In the end, the visitors were well-beaten thanks to goals from James Tavernier and Alfredo Morelos.

Stevenson said: “We worked on it on Tuesday. Joe Newell’s struggling, Kyle Magennis has obviously been out for a while and Josh Campbell is struggling with his shoulder.

“Goga (Alex Gogic) and [Melker] Hallberg have gone as well. I’m happy to play anywhere. I’ve played there before although it has been a while.

“Rangers are probably strongest in midfield so we didn’t see a lot of the ball but I think I defended alright, maybe I should have been better on the ball at times, but it does take a bit of getting used to, especially at Ibrox.”