Hibernian comfortably booked their passage to the League Cup semi-finals after delivering a dominant 3-0 performance against Ross County at the Dingwall Stadium. The match evoked memories of Hibs' previous cup triumphs – notably the 2010 victory and the dramatic 2016 final – but this time the Highland side could not match the quality of the Edinburgh club. From the opening whistle the visitors imposed their will on the game, and within the first fourteen minutes they had already taken a firm grip on the encounter.
Thibault Klidje opened the scoring in the seventh minute, rising above the County defenders to meet a cross and direct a powerful header into the bottom corner of the net. Just seven minutes later, Hibernian were awarded a penalty after Akil Wright was judged to have pulled down Jason Kerr from a corner taken by Felix Passlack.
Full‑back Adam Mayor stepped up and coolly slotted the spot‑kick, doubling the lead and sending the home crowd into a brief frenzy. The early onslaught left Ross County reeling, but they continued to press, hoping to claw back into the match. Their efforts were rewarded when Jack Iredale delivered a low, driven cross into the box. Ante Suto rose to meet it, but his header skimmed over the bar, narrowly missing what could have been a third goal before the interval.
Undeterred, Suto eventually found the back of the net six minutes before halftime, tapping in after a swift interchange between midfielders Josh Mulligan and Callum Wright. This third strike effectively put the tie beyond doubt and allowed Hibernian to settle into a comfortable rhythm for the second half. The second period saw Ross County attempt a tactical reshuffle, moving to a back‑three formation in an effort to tighten their defence and create space on the flanks. Despite the change, Hibernian continued to generate the more incisive chances.
A set‑piece in the 70th minute saw Mayor deliver a dangerous ball into the box, where Nathan Lowe rose to meet it, only for the Hibs substitute to send his effort wide of the target. Throughout the remainder of the game, Ross County managed a few glimmers of promise – Kerr headed over from a corner, and Brad Foster produced a sharp save from a low drive by Iredale – but they were never truly threatening enough to mount a comeback.
As the final whistle approached, the atmosphere in Dingwall remained lively, but the outcome was clear: Hibernian had secured a three‑goal cushion and would advance to the semi‑final stage without needing any late consolation goals. Their composure and clinical finishing demonstrated why they are once again a force to be reckoned with in the competition. In a separate fixture, Aberdeen also celebrated a hard‑won progression to the Premier Sports Cup semi‑finals after a tense penalty shoot‑out victory over Kilmarnock. The Dons entered the match under pressure, having gone four league games without scoring and facing growing scrutiny of manager Stephen Robinson's tactics.
The game itself was a roller‑coaster: Kevin Nisbet gave Aberdeen an early lead with a well‑timed header from a Connor Ronan cross, only for Kilmarnock to equalise after a red card reduced the visitors to ten men. Daniel Happe's dismissal came shortly after his own contribution to the build‑up, and Tyreece John‑Jules promptly restored parity for the visitors. Extra time proved a nervous affair, with both sides squandering several opportunities to settle the contest in regulation. Ultimately, the match 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. The shoot‑out concluded with Jack Milne converting the decisive penalty, giving the Dons a 3‑1 advantage in the shoot‑out and sending their supporters into jubilant celebration on the pitch. The victory not only propelled Aberdeen into the semi‑finals alongside Hibernian and Hearts but also eased the mounting pressure on Robinson, who had been under intense scrutiny. Meanwhile, Kilmarnock’s defeat added further strain on their manager Neil McCann, as the club now faces increased expectations to turn their fortunes around.
Both semi‑final matches promise exciting football, with Hibernian looking to build on their commanding display and Aberdeen hoping to capitalize on the momentum generated by their dramatic penalty triumph. Fans of both clubs will be eager to see whether their teams can continue this cup run and possibly add another trophy to their respective cabinets.