Hibernian comfortably booked their passage to the League Cup semi-finals after a dominant 3-0 triumph over Ross County on the far‑north Scottish coast in Dingwall. The fixture evoked memories of the club's past cup successes – notably the victorious campaigns of 2010 and the dramatic 2016 final – but this time the Highland venue offered no cause for celebration for the home side. From the outset, the visitors imposed their will, with Thibault Klidje finding the net inside the opening five minutes and Adam Mayor adding a second just nine minutes later. Those early strikes gave David Gray’s Hibs a firm foothold and set the tone for the rest of the encounter.
The third goal arrived six minutes before the interval when Ante Suto completed the scoring, effectively sealing the tie and leaving Ross County with little hope of a comeback. While the Staggies never looked embarrassed, they struggled to generate any sustained pressure and ultimately watched the match slip away as Hibernian calmly saw out the remaining minutes.
The opening exchanges were lively, with both teams pressing high and trading attacks, but it was Hibernian who broke the deadlock in the seventh minute. Klidje rose above the County defenders to meet a cross and directed a powerful header into the bottom corner, giving the visitors an early lead. Just seven minutes later, a penalty was awarded after referee adjudicated that Akil Wright had pulled down Jason Kerr from a corner taken by Felix Passlack.
Full‑back Mayor stepped up and calmly slotted the spot‑kick, doubling Hibs’ advantage. The match report also referenced other football news, including Real Sociedad’s 1‑2 loss to Bournemouth in the Europa League, Crystal Palace’s transfer activity, and a series of other league fixtures, but the focus remained on the Dingwall showdown. Suto came close to adding a fourth goal when he attempted a header from Jack Iredale’s low cross, only to see the ball sail narrowly over the bar.
Iredale later forced a good save from Hibernian goalkeeper Brad Foster, who dived to his left to keep the scoreline intact. The third goal before halftime was the product of a well‑orchestrated move involving Josh Mulligan and Callum Wright in midfield. Their quick passing opened space for Suto, who finished cleanly to make it 3‑0 and put the tie beyond doubt. Ross County attempted to change their tactics after the break, shifting to a back‑three formation in an effort to stem the flow of attacks, but Hibernian continued to create the better chances.
Jason Kerr headed over from a set‑piece, and subsequent crosses kept the Staggies on the back foot. In the latter stages of the first half, Mayor delivered a cross that found Nathan Lowe, but the Hibs substitute’s shot went wide, offering County a fleeting glimmer of hope that quickly faded.
The second half saw Ross County trying to mount a late surge, yet Hibernian’s defensive organisation held firm, and the visitors saw out the final minutes without further incident, sealing a comfortable 3‑0 victory and a place in the semi‑finals. Meanwhile, Aberdeen also celebrated a dramatic progression to the Premier Sports Cup semi‑finals under manager Stephen Robinson.
The Dons endured a tense penalty shoot‑out against Kilmarnock after a 1‑1 draw that required extra time. Aberdeen had endured a goal‑dry spell in their previous four league matches, increasing the pressure on Robinson.
The tie appeared to swing in Kilmarnock’s favour when Tyreece John‑Jules equalised after Kevin Nisbet’s early strike, following the dismissal of Aberdeen defender Daniel Happe. Aberdeen held on through extra time, missing several opportunities to clinch the win in regulation, before the match was decided from the spot. Goalkeeper Marius Müller made crucial saves from John‑Jules, Mark O’Hara and Aaron Tshibola, and Jack Milne ultimately secured a 3‑1 shoot‑out triumph for the Dons.
The victory sparked jubilant celebrations as Aberdeen supporters spilled onto the pitch, joining Hearts and Hibernian in the semi‑final lineup, while Kilmarnock fans expressed frustration at the outcome, which amplified the pressure on their manager Neil McCann. Key moments for Aberdeen included Nisbet’s header from a Connor Ronan cross, which gave the Dons the lead before Happe’s red card.
John‑Jules’ equaliser came shortly after the sending‑off, setting the stage for the dramatic penalty resolution. Both Hibernian and Aberdeen will now turn their attention to the upcoming semi‑final fixtures, where they will aim to replicate their strong performances and continue their quests for silverware. The victories not only boost morale but also provide valuable momentum as the season progresses, offering fans in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and beyond plenty to look forward to as the cup competition intensifies. For those interested in broader football news, the article also mentioned upcoming matches, transfer rumours, and other league updates, highlighting the dynamic nature of the sport across Europe and the UK.