Hibernian comfortably booked their passage to the League Cup semi-finals after a dominant 3-0 triumph over Ross County on the far‑north pitch at Dingwall. The fixture evoked memories of Hibs' past cup glories – the 2010 triumph and the dramatic 2016 final – but this time the Highland side could not replicate those celebrations. From the opening whistle the Edinburgh club set the tempo, and within the first fourteen minutes two early goals from Thibault Klidje and Adam Mayor gave David Gray’s men a firm grip on the match. A third strike, courtesy of Ante Suto six minutes before the interval, effectively sealed the outcome and left any hope of a comeback for the hosts a distant dream.
The game began with both teams pressing aggressively, trading possession and testing each other's defenses. It was Hibernian who broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when Klidje rose above the Ross County crowd to meet a cross and direct a powerful header into the bottom corner.
The goal not only put the visitors ahead but also set the tone for the rest of the first half. Just seven minutes later a penalty was awarded after referee adjudicated that Ross County defender Akil Wright had pulled down Jason Kerr from a corner taken by Felix Passlack.
Full‑back Adam Mayor stepped up and calmly slotted the spot‑kick, extending the lead to 2-0. The third goal arrived before the break, the product of a well‑crafted move in midfield. Josh Mulligan and Callum Wright combined with precision, threading a ball through the centre of the Ross County back line. Ante Suto arrived unmarked in the box and finished with a composed finish, making it 3-0 and virtually ending any chance of a revival for the home side.
Ross County attempted to respond after the interval, even reshaping their formation into a back‑three to add defensive solidity, but Hibernian continued to dominate aerially and on the ground. A near‑miss from Suto, whose header from Jack Iredale’s low cross skimmed over the bar, demonstrated that the visitors could have added even more. Iredale later forced a fine save from Ross County goalkeeper Brad Foster, who dove to his left to keep the scoreline intact. In the latter stages of the first half, Ross County earned a dangerous set‑piece, but Jason Kerr’s header drifted harmlessly over the bar, underscoring the difficulty the hosts faced in breaking through Hibernian’s organized defense.
As the half‑hour mark approached, Hibs continued to apply pressure. Mayor, who had already scored from the penalty spot, attempted a second‑half strike that sailed wide after a well‑timed pass from Nathan Lowe, but the effort failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
The second half saw Ross County persisting in their attempts to alter the narrative, but Hibernian’s control remained unshaken. The visitors saw out the remaining minutes with composure, allowing the final whistle to confirm a 3-0 victory and a place in the semi‑finals for the Edinburgh side. Meanwhile, Aberdeen experienced a dramatically different route to the same stage. Manager Stephen Robinson guided his ten‑man squad to a tense penalty‑shootout win over Kilmarnock, securing a spot in the Premier Sports Cup semi‑finals.
The Dons entered the match under pressure, having gone four league games without scoring. The situation worsened when a red card was shown to defender Daniel Happe early in the second half, leaving Aberdeen a man down. Kilmarnock’s Tyreece John‑Jules quickly responded to Kevin Nisbet’s opening goal – a header that found the net after a cross from Connor Ronan – by leveling the score, turning the contest into a 1-1 stalemate that persisted into extra time.
Despite being a player short, Aberdeen held firm, creating several chances but failing to convert. The deadlock was finally broken in the penalty shootout.
Goalkeeper Marius Müller proved decisive, saving attempts from John‑Jules, Mark O’Hara and Aaron Tshibola. Jack Milne then stepped up to seal the victory with a confident spot‑kick, giving Aberdeen a 3-1 win on penalties. The conclusion of the shootout sparked a jubilant pitch invasion by Aberdeen supporters, who celebrated alongside the fans of Hearts and Hibernian as the three clubs prepared for the semi‑final stage.
In contrast, Kilmarnock’s followers expressed frustration, aware that the defeat added further scrutiny to manager Neil McCann’s position. Overall, the two fixtures highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the clubs involved.
Hibernian displayed a textbook performance, capitalising on early chances and maintaining defensive rigidity to progress without the need for extra time. Aberdeen, on the other hand, demonstrated resilience under adversity, overcoming a numerical disadvantage and the pressure of a goalless run to emerge victorious in a nerve‑wracking shootout. Both teams now look ahead to the semi‑finals, where they will aim to continue their cup runs and possibly add another trophy to their season’s achievements.