Hibernian comfortably booked their place in the League Cup semi‑finals after dispatching Ross County with a decisive 3‑0 win at the Inverness‑based club's ground in Dingwall. The fixture evoked memories of Hibs' past cup triumphs – notably the 2010 victory and the unforgettable 2016 final – but this time the Highlands crowd were not treated to a celebratory spectacle. Early dominance set the tone, as Thibault Klidje and Adam Mayor each found the net within the first 14 minutes, giving David Gray's side a firm grip on the match.
Six minutes before the interval, Ante Suto added a third goal, effectively sealing the outcome and leaving little doubt about the result. While Ross County, nicknamed the Staggies, never completely collapsed, they were unable to mount any credible comeback, allowing Hibernian to see out the game with relative ease. The encounter began with both teams pressing aggressively, but it was the visitors who struck first in the seventh minute. Klidje rose above the County defence and headed the ball into the bottom corner, giving Hibs an early lead.
Just seven minutes later, the home side were presented with a golden chance to level the score when a penalty was awarded after referee adjudicated that Akil Wright had pulled down Jason Kerr from a corner taken by Felix Passlack. Full‑back Adam Mayor stepped up and calmly converted the spot‑kick, doubling Hibernian's advantage. The match report then listed a series of unrelated fixtures, but the focus quickly returned to the action in Dingwall.
Suto came close to a fourth goal when he attempted a header from a low cross by Jack Iredale, only to see the ball sail narrowly over the bar. Iredale later forced a good save from Hibs goalkeeper Brad Foster, who reacted quickly to his left. The third goal before halftime emerged from a well‑crafted move involving Josh Mulligan and Callum Wright in midfield, culminating in Suto finding the back of the net and putting the visitors firmly in control. In the second half Ross County attempted to alter the dynamics by switching to a back‑three formation, hoping to tighten up defensively and create chances on the counter‑attack.
Nevertheless, Hibernian continued to generate the more threatening opportunities. A set‑piece delivery saw Kerr rise to meet the ball but his header sailed over the bar. Further crosses into the box caused problems for the home side, and with just under 15 minutes left, Mayor delivered a cross to Nathan Lowe, whose effort was taken by a Hibs substitute and sent wide. The final minutes saw Hibernian maintain their composure, seeing out the match without conceding any late consolation goal for the home fans.
Their disciplined performance secured a place in the semi‑finals of the competition. In a separate semi‑final berth, Aberdeen, under the guidance of manager Stephen Robinson, earned a dramatic passage to the Premier Sports Cup semi‑finals after a tense penalty shoot‑out victory over Kilmarnock. Prior to the cup tie, Aberdeen had endured a goal‑drought across four league fixtures, increasing the pressure on Robinson.
The cup match seemed to tilt in Kilmarnock's favour when Tyreece John‑Jules equalised after Kevin Nisbet had given the Dons the lead, following the dismissal of Daniel Happe. The match progressed to extra time, during which both sides created several chances, but neither could break the deadlock. The outcome was therefore decided from the spot. Aberdeen goalkeeper Marius Müller proved decisive, making crucial saves from John‑Jules, Mark O'Hara and Aaron Tshibola.
Ultimately, Jack Milne converted the decisive penalty, sealing a 3‑1 shoot‑out win for Aberdeen. Fans of Aberdeen stormed onto the pitch in celebration, joining the supporters of Hearts and Hibernian as the three clubs prepared for the semi‑final stage. Meanwhile, Kilmarnock supporters expressed their frustration, aware that the result added further scrutiny on manager Neil McCann. In the match, Nisbet had initially headed Connor Ronan's cross beyond Kilmarnock keeper Max Stryjek to give Aberdeen the lead, before Happe's red card was followed by John‑Jules' equaliser for the visitors.
Both Hibernian and Aberdeen now look ahead to their semi‑final opponents, aiming to add another trophy to their cabinets. The victories highlight the importance of early goal‑scoring bursts, tactical adaptability, and composure in high‑pressure situations such as penalty shoot‑outs. As the competition narrows, the remaining teams will need to combine defensive solidity with attacking flair to progress further.
The League Cup continues to provide memorable moments for Scottish football fans, with each round delivering drama, skill, and the occasional surprise. Supporters across the country will be watching closely as the semi‑finals approach, eager to see which clubs can maintain their momentum and claim a place in the final, where the ultimate prize awaits.