Paul Paton admits there was an air of relief following the Scottish Cup draw on Monday evening after Dundee United avoided Celtic at the second time of asking.

As the first names out, the Tannadice club were originally paired with Ronny Deila's side at home, but a technical fault forced the draw to be redone.

On the second attempt United were drawn away to Ross County while Celtic booked a home tie with Championship side Morton.

While Paton expects a challenge from the Highlanders, who last week knocked Celtic out of the League Cup at the semi-final stage, he says they would have been significant underdogs against the Premiership champions.

"They seem to always have the upper hand on us, that must be said," the midfielder told the media after the cup draw at the national stadium.

"They've beat us a few times already this season so maybe it is good we're not playing them but Ross County is going to be a stiff challenge. They're a really good side so we understand it's going to be a hard game for us."

Paton has suffered double cup heartache with the Tangerines in the last two seasons, losing out in the final of the Scottish Cup in 2014 and League Cup in 2015.

He says a lot has changed since then though, and hopes the sudden reality check this season will help drive them on to success at the third time of asking.

"I've learned not to take it for granted," he admitted. "We've gone from two cup finals in two years, playing attractive football, to then being in a relegation battle.

"When you're in two finals in two years you think everything is rosy, everything is good and it will be like this all the time. You quickly realise it's not so if we can get a good cup run it would be much welcomed."