Hibernian comfortably booked their spot in the League Cup semi-finals after a dominant 3-0 triumph over Ross County on the latter's home turf in Dingwall. The fixture evoked memories of Hibs' previous cup successes, 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 a celebratory showcase.
From the first whistle the visitors imposed their will, and within the opening 14 minutes they had already taken a firm grip on the game. Thibault Klidje opened the scoring in the seventh minute, rising above the County defence to meet a cross and directing a powerful header into the bottom corner.
Just seven minutes later, a penalty was awarded when Akil Wright was judged to have pulled down Jason Kerr from a Felix Passlack corner. Full‑back Adam Mayor stepped up and coolly slotted the spot‑kick, doubling Hibernian's lead and leaving the home side reeling.
The first half continued in much the same vein. Six minutes before the break, midfielder Ante Suto added a third goal after a well‑crafted move involving Josh Mulligan and Callum Wright. The ball was played into the box, Suto met a low cross from Jack Iredale and, despite a brief moment where his header sailed over the bar, he soon found the net with a tidy finish.
The goal effectively put the tie beyond any realistic comeback hopes for Ross County. Although the Staggies never looked completely out of the contest, they failed to create any sustained pressure and could not threaten Hibs' lead. In the second half Ross County attempted to alter their tactics, switching to a back‑three formation in an effort to stem the flow of Hibernian attacks. The change, however, did little to disrupt the visitors' rhythm.
Hibs continued to exploit set‑piece situations, with Mayor again finding a dangerous position just under the 15‑minute mark, though his effort went wide of the target. Brad Foster, the County goalkeeper, made a series of sharp saves, notably denying a well‑timed header from Kerr that sailed over the bar.
As the clock wound down, the home side pressed for a consolation goal but were unable to break through the disciplined Hibernian defence. The match concluded with a clear 3-0 victory, securing Hibernian's place in the semi‑finals and adding another chapter to their recent cup pedigree. Meanwhile, in a separate quarter‑final tie, Aberdeen also advanced to the Premier Sports Cup semi‑finals after a dramatic penalty shoot‑out win over Kilmarnock. The Dons entered the match under pressure, having gone four league games without finding the net.
The situation worsened when Daniel Happe was sent off, leaving Aberdeen a man down. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Aberdeen managed to keep the scores level. Kevin Nisbet gave the visitors an early lead by heading Connor Ronan's cross past Max Stryjek, but Tyreece John‑Jules equalised shortly after Happe's dismissal, setting the stage for a tense extra‑time period.
During extra time, both sides created chances but failed to convert, leading to a penalty shoot‑out to decide the winner. Aberdeen goalkeeper Marius Müller proved decisive, making crucial saves from John‑Jules, Mark O'Hara and Aaron Tshibola. Jack Milne then stepped up to seal the shoot‑out, converting his spot‑kick to give Aberdeen a 3‑1 victory on penalties.
The win sparked jubilant celebrations as Aberdeen supporters spilled onto the pitch, joining the fans of Hearts and Hibernian in anticipation of the upcoming semi‑finals. Kilmarnock fans, on the other hand, expressed frustration, aware that the defeat increased the pressure on their manager Neil McCann. Both Hibernian and Aberdeen demonstrated resilience and quality in their respective matches, setting up intriguing semi‑final encounters. Hibs will look to build on their commanding performance in Dingwall, while Aberdeen will aim to capitalize on the momentum gained from their nerve‑wracking shoot‑out triumph.
The upcoming semi‑finals promise to deliver high‑stakes football, with the winners earning a coveted place in the League Cup final and a chance to add another trophy to their club's history.