KELTY HEARTS have been handed a Scottish Cup boost with their mouthwatering tie against the holders set to take place in front of a full capacity crowd.

The League Two leaders, who maintained their seven point cushion at the top of the division with Saturday's 3-0 win at Stirling Albion, will play St Johnstone this month in their first-ever match at the fourth round stage.

The match will be played at New Central Park on January 22 and, following today's Scottish Government announcement that restrictions on crowd numbers will be lifted from next Monday (January 17), it means that all 2,181 spaces will be available.

Since Boxing Day, clubs have been playing to crowds of a maximum of 500 as part of measures implemented to combat the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

However, those will be lifted in time for Kelty's big match, the day of which will also see Dunfermline in home action, against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the SPFL Championship.

Kelty have confirmed that tickets for the Saints tie will go on sale this Friday, with season ticket holders being given priority.

In reaching this stage, Kevin Thomson's team defeated Buckie Thistle at home before overcoming League One high-flyers Montrose on penalties in a replay at Links Park last month.

The cup clash will be their second competitive meeting with the Perth Saints, who also visited New Central Park in last season's Premier Sports Cup group stage, winning 2-1.