Hibernian produced a commanding display at the Global Energy Stadium to defeat Ross County 3-0 and book their place in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup.
The visitors settled the quarter-final tie before half-time, with Thibault Klidje, Adam Mayor and Ante Suto all finding the net during a dominant opening 45 minutes.
Klidje gave Hibernian the lead after only seven minutes, Mayor doubled the advantage from the penalty spot seven minutes later, and Suto added a third shortly before the interval.
Ross County improved after the break and attempted to find a route back into the contest, but Hibernian’s advantage was simply too substantial. David Gray’s side managed the second half professionally and saw out the victory without conceding.
The result sends Hibs into the final four of the competition and gives Gray another opportunity to lead his team at Hampden Park.
Hibernian Make a Fast Start in Dingwall
The importance of a quick start was clear from the opening whistle. Hibernian had entered the quarter-final knowing that Ross County were capable of making the contest difficult, particularly on home soil. The Staggies had also enjoyed a productive League Cup campaign on their way to the last eight.
However, any plans Ross County had for a patient opening were disrupted almost immediately.
Hibernian took the lead after just seven minutes.
Felix Passlack delivered an excellent ball into the penalty area, and Thibault Klidje rose above the Ross County defence to direct a header toward the bottom corner.
Ross County goalkeeper Brian Foster had little chance of preventing the finish.
The early goal immediately changed the dynamics of the contest.
Hibernian could now play with greater confidence, while Ross County were forced to take additional risks in search of an equaliser.
For David Gray, the opening goal represented precisely the type of start he would have wanted from his players.
Klidje Provides the First Breakthrough
Klidje’s opening goal was not simply important because of its timing. The quality of the finish also highlighted the attacking threat Hibernian possessed.
Passlack’s delivery was precise, while Klidje’s movement allowed him to attack the ball at the right moment.
The forward’s header found the bottom-left corner and gave Hibernian a platform from which they could control the remainder of the opening period.
Ross County attempted to respond through their attacking players, but Hibs continued to look dangerous whenever they moved forward.
The visitors were particularly effective at exploiting spaces around the Ross County defensive line.
That pressure eventually produced another major moment.
Mayor Doubles Hibs’ Advantage From the Spot
Hibernian’s second goal arrived in the 14th minute.
The visitors were awarded a penalty after a foul inside the Ross County box involving Akil Wright and Jason Kerr.
Adam Mayor stepped forward to take responsibility from the spot.
The Hibernian attacker made no mistake, sending the ball into the roof of the net and giving Foster no realistic opportunity to make the save.
The penalty meant Hibs had established a 2-0 lead within the opening quarter of an hour.
For Ross County, it was a devastating sequence.
The Staggies had barely had time to recover from the opening goal before they found themselves two behind.
Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell later acknowledged the quality of Klidje’s opener while accepting the decision that led to the penalty.
Ross County Try to Stabilise
Despite the difficult start, Ross County did not simply collapse.
The hosts attempted to reorganize their shape and create a more competitive contest.
There were moments when they managed to move possession into promising areas, but Hibernian’s defence remained relatively comfortable.
The visitors’ back three, supported by their midfield, made it difficult for Ross County to find clear routes toward goal.
Ross County’s forwards were often forced to receive possession with their backs to goal, limiting their ability to turn and attack the Hibernian penalty area.
At the other end, Hibs continued to create chances.
The two-goal advantage gave Gray’s team the freedom to attack without the same pressure on every forward movement.
Suto Goes Close Before Finding the Net
Ante Suto came close to adding a third goal before eventually getting his name on the scoresheet.
Hibernian worked the ball down the left before Mayor delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area.
Suto attacked the delivery but sent his header over the crossbar.
The opportunity was another warning for Ross County.
Hibernian were finding too much space in advanced positions, and the home side were struggling to consistently prevent crosses from reaching the danger area.
Suto later went close again when he created space on the edge of the box and struck toward goal.
This time, Foster reacted well to make a low save.
Ross County needed to reach half-time without conceding again.
They were unable to do so.
Suto Makes It Three Before the Break
Hibernian’s third goal arrived in the 39th minute.
Ante Suto found the net to complete a first-half performance that effectively settled the quarter-final.
The striker’s goal was particularly damaging because it arrived just six minutes before the interval.
Ross County had hoped to go into the break with at least a two-goal deficit, giving them something to build upon during the second half.
Instead, Hibs entered the dressing room three goals ahead.
All three Hibernian goals had arrived before half-time, with Klidje, Mayor and Suto combining to put Gray’s team firmly in control.
A Three-Goal Cushion Changes the Contest
The second half was always likely to be different.
With Hibernian three goals ahead, there was little reason for Gray’s players to take unnecessary risks.
Ross County, meanwhile, needed to attack.
That naturally created a different rhythm.
Hibs were able to defend deeper and focus on protecting their advantage, while the hosts attempted to move more players forward.
The visitors did not need to chase a fourth goal.
Instead, their priorities became maintaining concentration, limiting Ross County’s chances and managing the game intelligently.
That approach worked.
Ross County Make Changes at the Interval
Kettlewell made changes during the second half as he attempted to inject greater energy into his side.
Adam Forrester and Kieran Phillips were introduced at half-time, replacing Dylan Smith and Luke McCarvel.
The changes were intended to give Ross County more attacking impetus.
The hosts were now facing a difficult balance.
They needed goals, but committing too many players forward could have left additional spaces for Hibernian’s forwards to exploit.
Hibs were therefore able to remain patient.
Whenever Ross County pushed forward, the visitors looked for opportunities to counter rather than committing numbers unnecessarily.
Hibernian Manage the Game Professionally
One of the biggest positives for Gray was the professionalism his players demonstrated after half-time.
There was no need for Hibs to continue playing at the same intensity they had shown during the opening 45 minutes.
Instead, they slowed the tempo when necessary and kept their defensive structure intact.
Gray later described the performance as professional and praised the way his players approached the match. He had stressed before the game that the two-division difference between the clubs should not influence Hibernian’s mindset.
That mentality was visible throughout the contest.
Hibs treated the quarter-final seriously from the opening minute and continued to respect Ross County even after establishing a commanding lead.
Ross County Fail to Find a Way Back
The Staggies showed determination, but the size of the deficit made their task extremely difficult.
Every attack needed to produce something significant.
Yet Hibernian were able to limit the quality of Ross County’s final actions.
Crosses were dealt with, central passing lanes were protected and shots were blocked or prevented from becoming major threats.
Ross County’s players continued to work, but the match was effectively decided before half-time.
The home side also faced the psychological challenge of knowing they needed three goals simply to take the tie toward extra time.
That situation made Hibernian’s defensive task easier.
Gray Uses His Bench
As the second half progressed, Gray began to manage his squad with the wider season in mind.
Thibault Klidje was withdrawn in the 69th minute, with Nathan Lowe taking his place.
Joe Newell was also replaced earlier in the second half, while further substitutions followed during the closing stages.
Adam Mayor and Felix Passlack were eventually taken off as Gray continued to rotate his players.
The substitutions allowed Hibernian to protect their key performers while maintaining enough experience on the pitch to see out the match.
It was another sign that the visitors understood the situation.
There was no need to chase unnecessary risks.
Ross County Keep Fighting
Despite being three goals down, Ross County continued to compete.
The Staggies had enjoyed a strong run through the earlier stages of the competition and had earned their quarter-final place through several positive results.
Their elimination therefore does not erase the progress they had made in the cup.
Instead, the defeat showed the difference between a League One side and Premiership opposition on a day when Hibernian were able to produce their best football.
Ross County’s players continued attempting to create openings, but Hibs had already established too much control.
Hibernian’s Defence Stands Firm
The defensive performance was just as important as the three goals.
A 3-0 scoreline can sometimes suggest that a team simply overwhelmed its opponent offensively.
In this case, Hibernian also demonstrated strong defensive discipline.
Ross County were unable to score despite having an entire second half to apply pressure.
Hibs remained organized and avoided giving their opponents the type of clear-cut opportunities required to launch a comeback.
Goalkeeper Rudi Sallinger was also protected effectively by the players in front of him.
The visitors’ defensive structure meant Ross County often had to attempt lower-percentage efforts rather than attack the goal from ideal positions.
Hibs’ Midfield Controls the Tempo
Hibernian’s midfield played a significant role in controlling the match.
Joe Newell provided leadership in the centre of the pitch, while the players around him helped Hibs maintain possession during important periods.
Once the visitors had built their three-goal advantage, midfield control became even more valuable.
Every successful spell of possession reduced the amount of time Ross County had to attack.
Instead of constantly trying to produce another goal, Hibs could circulate the ball and wait for the right opportunity to move forward.
That was an efficient way to manage a knockout match.
Three Goals, Three Different Moments
The variety of Hibernian’s goals was another encouraging feature.
Klidje’s opener came from a well-delivered cross and an excellent header.
Mayor’s second was the product of pressure inside the penalty area and a foul that resulted in a penalty.
Suto then added the third with a finish that completed an excellent first-half attacking display.
The three goals demonstrated that Hibs could threaten in different ways.
They were dangerous from crosses, capable of creating pressure around the box and able to capitalize when opponents made mistakes.
That versatility will be valuable as the team progresses through the remainder of the season.
Hampden Awaits Hibernian
The most important consequence of the result is Hibernian’s progression to the League Cup semi-finals.
The victory guarantees Gray’s team a place in the final four and another opportunity to compete at Hampden Park.
For Gray, the prospect of returning to the national stadium as a manager was particularly significant.
He had been eager to achieve that objective, and his players delivered with a convincing quarter-final display.
The semi-final will naturally present a much bigger challenge.
The remaining teams will be competing for a place in the final, and the pressure will increase.
But Hibernian can approach the next stage with confidence after such a complete performance in Dingwall.
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