Hibernian comfortably booked their passage to the League Cup semi-finals after delivering a dominant 3-0 performance against Ross County on the far‑north pitch in Dingwall. The match evoked memories of Hibs' own cup triumphs in 2010 and the dramatic 2016 final, yet the Highland crowd could not celebrate a similar victory this evening. The opening stages were lively, with both teams pressing hard and exchanging chances. However, the visitors drew first blood in the seventh minute when Thibault Klidje rose above the County defence and headed the ball into the bottom corner, giving David Gray’s side 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. Adam Mayor stepped up and calmly slotted the spot‑kick, extending the lead to 2-0 within the first 14 minutes of play. The dominance continued into the first half.
A well‑worked move in midfield saw Josh Mulligan link up with Callum Wright, who threaded a precise pass to Ante Suto. Suto met the ball with a powerful header that found the back of the net six minutes before the break, putting the score at 3-0 and effectively sealing the tie. Although Ross County never looked completely out of the contest, they struggled to generate sustained pressure and were unable to mount a serious comeback as Hibernian managed the game with composure. In the second half, County attempted to alter their tactics, shifting to a back‑three formation in an effort to tighten up at the back.
Despite this adjustment, Hibernian continued to create the more dangerous opportunities. A set‑piece delivery saw Jason Kerr rise above the defence, only to head the ball over the bar. Later, with just under 15 minutes remaining, Adam Mayor delivered a cross that found Nathan Lowe unmarked, but the Hibs substitute’s shot flew wide of the target. The visitors maintained their control and saw out the final minutes without further incident, confirming their place in the semi‑finals.
The result was a stark contrast to the earlier days when Ross County had celebrated cup victories in 2010 and 2016, underscoring the gap in quality on the day. Meanwhile, Aberdeen also celebrated a dramatic progression to the semi‑finals, albeit through a penalty shoot‑out after a tense encounter with Kilmarnock.
Stephen Robinson’s side entered the match under pressure, having failed to score in their previous four league fixtures. The game took a turn when Daniel Happe was sent off, reducing the Dons to ten men. Despite being a man down, Aberdeen managed to keep the score level after Tyreece John‑Jules equalised following Kevin Nisbet’s opening goal. The match proceeded to extra time, where both sides created chances but could not break the deadlock, leading to a penalty shoot‑out.
Aberdeen’s goalkeeper, Marius Müller, proved decisive, saving attempts from John‑Jules, Mark O'Hara and Aaron Tshibola. Jack Milne then stepped up and converted the decisive penalty, giving the Dons a 3‑1 shoot‑out victory. The win sparked jubilant scenes as Aberdeen supporters flooded the pitch, joining Hearts and Hibernian in the semi‑final lineup, while Kilmarnock fans expressed frustration at the outcome, which added further scrutiny on manager Neil McCann. Kevin Nisbet had given Aberdeen the lead by heading Connor Ronan’s cross beyond Max Stryjek, but the subsequent red card and John‑Jules’ equaliser set the stage for the dramatic finish.
Both clubs now look ahead to the semi‑finals, where they will face the remaining contenders for the Premier Sports Cup, aiming to add another trophy to their cabinet. The League Cup continues to deliver excitement, with Hibernian’s clinical display and Aberdeen’s resilience highlighting the unpredictable nature of knockout football. Fans can anticipate more thrilling encounters as the tournament progresses toward its climax.