Hibernian comfortably booked their place in the League Cup semi-finals after delivering a dominant 3-0 performance against Ross County at the Inverness-based venue in Dingwall. The fixture evoked memories of Hibs' cup triumphs in 2010 and the memorable 2016 final, but this time the Highland side could not replicate that magic. Early pressure paid off for David Gray's men, who seized control of the match within the first quarter-hour.
Thibault Klidje opened the scoring in the seventh minute, rising above the County defence to direct a header into the lower corner of the net. Just seven minutes later, a penalty was awarded when Akil Wright was judged to have pulled down Jason Kerr from a corner taken by Felix Passlack.
Adam Mayor stepped up and calmly slotted the spot‑kick, doubling Hibernian's lead. The half‑time whistle blew after Ante Suto added a third goal six minutes before the break, effectively putting the tie beyond any doubt.
While Ross County never looked completely out of the contest, they were unable to generate a sustained response and Hibs saw out the remainder of the game with relative ease. The opening stages were lively, with both teams trading attacks, but it was the visitors who struck first. Klidje's header set the tone, and the subsequent penalty conversion by Mayor gave Hibernian a comfortable cushion.
After the break, County attempted to alter their formation, switching to a back‑three in an effort to stem the flow of crosses that had troubled them all night. However, Hibernian continued to dominate aerially and on the ground. Suto came close to a fourth goal when he met a low cross from Jack Iredale, but his header sailed just over the bar. Iredale later forced a good save from Hibs goalkeeper Brad Foster, who managed to get down quickly to his left to deny the striker.
The third goal before the interval was the product of a well‑crafted move in midfield. Josh Mulligan and Callum Wright combined with incisive passing, creating space for Suto to finish cleanly.
In the second half, Ross County tried to inject fresh impetus, but their attempts were largely thwarted by Hibernian's disciplined defensive shape and the continued threat from set‑pieces. Mayor even had a chance to extend the lead in the 75th minute, finding Nathan Lowe with a precise pass, but his shot went wide of the post. Ultimately, the match ended without any late consolation for the home supporters, as Hibernian maintained their composure and secured a three‑goal margin. Their victory propelled them into the semi‑final stage alongside fellow Scottish Premiership clubs.
In a separate quarter‑final encounter, Aberdeen also advanced to the Premier Sports Cup semi‑finals after a dramatic penalty shoot‑out victory over Kilmarnock. The Dons, managed by Stephen Robinson, had been under pressure following four league games without finding the net.
The tie turned tense when Daniel Happe was sent off, reducing Aberdeen to ten men and giving Kilmarnock a chance to claw back into the match. Tyreece John‑Jules equalised after Kevin Nisbet had given Aberdeen the lead, forcing the game into extra time.
Despite several missed opportunities from both sides during the additional period, the deadlock persisted, leading to a shoot‑out. Aberdeen's goalkeeper, Marius Müller, proved decisive, making crucial saves from John‑Jules, Mark O'Hara and Aaron Tshibola.
Jack Milne then stepped up to convert the decisive penalty, sealing a 3‑1 shoot‑out win for the Dons. The victory sparked jubilant scenes as Aberdeen fans poured onto the pitch, celebrating their club's progression to the semi‑finals alongside Hearts and Hibernian. Meanwhile, Kilmarnock supporters expressed disappointment, aware that the defeat added further strain on manager Neil McCann.
Key moments in the Aberdeen‑Kilmarnock match included Nisbet's header from a Connor Ronan cross, which gave Aberdeen an early advantage, and the subsequent equaliser by John‑Jules after Happe's dismissal. The drama of the penalty shoot‑out underscored the fine margins that often decide cup competitions. Both Hibernian and Aberdeen now look forward to their semi‑final fixtures, aiming to add another trophy to their cabinets.
Their respective performances demonstrated resilience, tactical acumen, and an ability to capitalize on set‑piece opportunities—attributes that will be essential as they navigate the remaining stages of the competition.