Hibernian comfortably booked their place in the League Cup semi-finals after a dominant 3-0 win over Ross County at the Inverness‑based venue in Dingwall. The fixture evoked memories of past cup triumphs for the Edinburgh club, recalling victories in 2010 and the dramatic final in 2016, but this time the Highlands crowd witnessed a one‑sided performance rather than a celebration. Early pressure paid off for the visitors, with Thibault Klidje and Adam Mayor both finding the net inside the first 14 minutes, establishing a firm grip on the match for manager David Gray's side. A third goal arrived from Ante Suto six minutes before the interval, effectively sealing the outcome.
While Ross County never looked completely out of the contest, they failed to mount any serious comeback and Hibs saw out the remainder of the game with relative ease. The opening exchanges were lively, with both teams trading possession and chances, but it was Hibernian who broke the deadlock in the seventh minute.
Klidje rose above the County defence to meet a cross and directed a powerful header into the bottom corner, giving the visitors an early lead. Just seven minutes later, Hibs were awarded a penalty after referee adjudicated that Akil Wright had pulled down Jason Kerr from a Felix Passlack corner.
Full‑back Adam Mayor stepped up and calmly converted, extending the advantage to 2-0. The match report also referenced other recent football news, such as Bristol City’s 1‑0 win over Watford, Brentford’s 3‑0 demolition of Chelsea, and Manchester City’s 4‑2 victory against Liverpool in the women’s game, illustrating the broader context of British football. Returning to the Dingwall encounter, Suto nearly added a fourth when he attempted a header from a low Jack Iredale cross, only to see the ball sail just over the bar.
Iredale later forced a good save from Ross County goalkeeper Brad Foster, who managed to get down quickly to his left to deny the striker. The third Hibs goal came before the break, born from a well‑executed combination between midfielders Josh Mulligan and Callum Wright. Their interplay in the centre of the park unlocked a chance that allowed Suto to slot the ball home, making the score 3‑0 at halftime. In the second half, County attempted to change the dynamics by switching to a back‑three formation, hoping to tighten the defence and create more counter‑attacking opportunities.
However, Hibernian continued to dominate, producing the better chances. Jason Kerr headed over from a dangerous set‑piece, and further crosses troubled the Staggies. Mayor even found Nathan Lowe with a cross in the 75th minute, but the Hibs substitute’s effort went wide.
With no late consolation for the home side, Hibernian saw out the final minutes comfortably, securing their place in the semi‑finals alongside fellow Scottish clubs. Meanwhile, Aberdeen also celebrated a dramatic progression.
Manager Stephen Robinson’s side, reduced to ten men, survived a tense encounter with Kilmarnock, ultimately prevailing in a penalty shoot‑out. After four league fixtures without scoring, pressure was mounting on Robinson, and the cup tie appeared to be a potential disaster when Tyreece John‑Jules equalised after Kevin Nisbet’s opening goal, following a red card for Daniel Happe. The Dons held firm, pushing the game into extra time, where they missed several opportunities before the match was decided from the spot. Goalkeeper Marius Müller made crucial saves from John‑Jules, Mark O’Hara and Aaron Tshibola during the shoot‑out, and Jack Milne sealed a 3‑1 win on penalties for Aberdeen.
The victory sparked jubilant scenes as fans spilled onto the pitch, joining Hearts and Hibernian in the semi‑final lineup, while Kilmarnock supporters expressed frustration, increasing the pressure on their manager Neil McCann. Nisbet had initially given Aberdeen the lead with a header from a Connor Ronan cross, but the subsequent dismissal of Happe allowed John‑Jules to level the score. Both Hibernian and Aberdeen now look ahead to the next round of the Premier Sports Cup, where they will aim to replicate their strong performances and perhaps add another trophy to their cabinets.
The semi‑finals promise exciting match‑ups and a chance for the clubs to cement their status in Scottish football. For supporters, the anticipation builds as the tournament reaches its decisive stages, and the clubs will be keen to avoid the pitfalls that have plagued other sides in recent cup history. The competition continues to provide drama, with penalty shoot‑outs, tactical adjustments, and individual brilliance shaping the narrative as the season progresses.