Hibernian comfortably booked their passage to the League Cup semi‑finals after dispatching Ross County 3-0 at the Inverness‑based venue in Dingwall. The fixture evoked memories of the club's past triumphs in the competition – notably the 2010 victory and the dramatic 2016 final – but this time the Highlands crowd were left to watch a one‑sided affair rather than celebrate a cup‑winning moment. The match got off to a blistering start, with Hibs taking the lead inside the first quarter of an hour. Thibault Klidje rose above the County defence to meet a cross and powered a header into the bottom corner after just seven minutes.
Seven minutes later, the visitors were awarded a penalty when Akil Wright was judged to have pulled down Jason Kerr from a corner delivered by Felix Passlack. Full‑back Adam Mayor stepped up without hesitation and slotted the spot‑kick home, doubling Hibernian's advantage.
The early goals forced Ross County onto the back foot, and they struggled to find any rhythm in the face of Hibs' confident play. The home side did manage a few moments of promise, especially when Jack Iredale sent in a low cross that found Ante Suto.
Suto rose to meet the ball and headed it narrowly over the bar, a near‑miss that could have made the scoreline even more uncomfortable for the Staggies. Later, Iredale forced a good save from Hibs keeper Brad Foster, who dove to his left and kept the score at 2-0. The third goal arrived just before the interval.
A fluid exchange between midfielders Josh Mulligan and Callum Wright broke the deadlock, with Mulligan threading a pass that set up Suto. The striker timed his run perfectly and finished from close range, sending the home supporters into a brief celebration before the halftime whistle. In the second half, Ross County attempted to alter their tactics, shifting to a back‑three formation in an effort to stem the tide.
Despite the change, Hibernian continued to dominate possession and create chances. County's Jason Kerr rose to meet a dangerous set‑piece delivery but headed the ball over the bar, further underlining the visitors' control of the game. With the clock winding down, Hibs continued to press. Mayor, who had already scored from the penalty spot, found himself in a promising position again when he linked up with Nathan Lowe in the final fifteen minutes.
However, his effort sailed wide, denying him a potential fourth goal. The home crowd hoped for a late consolation, but Hibernian held firm, seeing out the final minutes without further incident and securing a place in the semi‑finals. Meanwhile, Aberdeen also celebrated a dramatic night, as Stephen Robinson's side advanced to the Premier Sports Cup semi‑finals after a tense penalty shoot‑out against Kilmarnock.
The Dons had been under pressure following four league fixtures without finding the net, and the cup tie offered a chance to turn the narrative around. The match was tightly contested; Kevin Nisbet gave Aberdeen an early lead by heading Connor Ronan's cross beyond Kilmarnock keeper Max Stryjek.
However, the momentum shifted when Daniel Happe was shown a red card, reducing the visitors to ten men. Kilmarnock responded quickly, with Tyreece John‑Jules finding the net to level the score. The game proceeded to extra time, where both sides created opportunities but could not break the deadlock.
The outcome was decided from the spot. Aberdeen goalkeeper Marius Müller emerged as the hero, making crucial saves from John‑Jules, Mark O'Hara and Aaron Tshibola. Jack Milne then stepped up to convert the decisive penalty, giving the Dons a 3‑1 shoot‑out victory. The conclusion sparked an eruption of joy among Aberdeen supporters, who spilled onto the pitch to celebrate joining Hearts and Hibernian in the semi‑final lineup.
Conversely, Kilmarnock fans expressed frustration, aware that the defeat added further strain on manager Neil McCann. Both matches highlighted the high stakes of knockout football, where a single moment—whether a well‑taken header, a penalty conversion, or a crucial save—can dictate the fortunes of a club for weeks to come. As the semi‑finals loom, Hibernian and Aberdeen will look to build on these performances, while their opponents will be eager to exploit any weakness. The excitement surrounding the remaining fixtures promises to deliver more drama, skillful play, and, for the fans, the hope of lifting a coveted trophy.
In addition to the on‑field action, the competition continues to generate significant interest off the pitch, with broadcasters promoting upcoming matches and clubs engaging supporters through social media campaigns. The League Cup remains a vital platform for Scottish clubs to test their squads, showcase emerging talent, and provide memorable moments that resonate long after the final whistle.
Overall, the double triumph for Hibernian and Aberdeen underscores the unpredictable nature of cup football and sets the stage for an intriguing semi‑final stage, where ambition, preparation, and a touch of luck will determine which teams advance to the final showdown.