Beating Rangers, Ayr 'frauds', seeing off the Saints: How Hibs have fared in their last eight League Cup semi-finals

Between its inaugural season in 1946/47 and October 1991 when “The Team That Wouldn't Die” lifted the silverware, Hibs had reached the last four of the Scottish League Cup on 12 occasions, but won the trophy just once, in 1972.
Jim Leighton celebrates as Hibs beat Dundee United at TynecastleJim Leighton celebrates as Hibs beat Dundee United at Tynecastle
Jim Leighton celebrates as Hibs beat Dundee United at Tynecastle

This weekend Hibs face St Johnstone in the League Cup semi-finals for the third time in 14 years, but how have the Capital club fared on their trips to the latter stages of the competition in the last 30 years?

Hibs 1, Rangers 0; September 25 1991

Hibs travelled through to Hampden to take on Rangers having posted wins over Stirling Albion, Kilmarnock, and Ayr United en route to the semi-finals. The Light Blues won the league that season a full 23 points ahead of Hibs in fifth but it was Keith Wright’s 29th minute strike that secured the Capital club’s place in the final against Dunfermline, who had defeated Airdrie on penalties the previous day.

Dejection for Jarkko Wiss, Grant Brebner, and Eduardo Hurtado after defeat by Ayr UnitedDejection for Jarkko Wiss, Grant Brebner, and Eduardo Hurtado after defeat by Ayr United
Dejection for Jarkko Wiss, Grant Brebner, and Eduardo Hurtado after defeat by Ayr United
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Hibs went on to win the final 2-0 courtesy of goals from Wright and Tommy McIntyre to cap a remarkable double-achievement: their first major trophy since 1972 and a stirring response to Wallace Mercer’s failed takeover bid in the summer of 1990.

Hibs 1 Dundee United 0; September 21 1993

Nearly two years to the day since the semi-final success against Rangers, Hibs were drawn to face Dundee United. The semi-final was held at Tynecastle with the Old Firm going head-to-head the following day.

Darren Jackson’s early goal in Gorgie was enough to see Hibs through to the final; the former United striker sweeping a fine effort from the edge of the box beyond Alan Main after good work by Kevin McAllister. The Taysiders dominated the closing stages and a crowd of 19,024 watched an inspired performance by Jim Leighton frustrate Ivan Golac’s side.

Gordon Hunter evades a tackle by Stuart McCall of Rangers as Hibs beat the Gers 1-0 to advance to the Skol Cup final in 1991Gordon Hunter evades a tackle by Stuart McCall of Rangers as Hibs beat the Gers 1-0 to advance to the Skol Cup final in 1991
Gordon Hunter evades a tackle by Stuart McCall of Rangers as Hibs beat the Gers 1-0 to advance to the Skol Cup final in 1991

Hibs 0 Ayr United 1 AET; February 6 2002

Hibs, under the stewardship of Franck Sauzee, arrived at Hampden to take on First Division side Ayr United, who had already seen off four other top-tier clubs in the competition. A sparse crowd of under 12,000 was there to see the Somerset Park side reach their first major final in their 92-year history thanks to Eddie Annand's controversial spot-kick in extra time.

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To add insult to injury a 38-year-old John Hughes captained the Honest Men to victory over his former employers while fellow ex-Hibees Paul Lovering and Pat McGinlay were also in the Ayr ranks and a distraught Sauzee branded his players “frauds” in the aftermath of the match.

Hibs 1-1 Rangers AET; (4-3 pens); February 5 2004

Hibs returned to Hampden two years after their last League Cup semi-final, having beaten Celtic in the quarter-finals to set up a meeting with Rangers in the last four – again. Daniel Andersson conceded and saved a penalty before the Gers took the lead five minutes before half-time throug Michael Mols.

In the second half substitute Stephen Dobbie equalised seconds after taking to the pitch, converting a pass from Derek Riordan on 78 minutes and setting up a frantic finale.

The extra half-hour was unable to produce a winner and so the game went to penalties. Both Andersson and Stefan Klos made saves during the first five penalties and although Matt Doumbe missed Hibs’ first sudden-death kick, Andersson did well to tip Zurab Khizanishvili's effort onto the bar. Colin Murdock then converted before Frank de Boer hit the post to send Hibs through to the final.

St Johnstone 1, Hibs 3; January 31 2007

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Another League Cup semi-final at Tynecastle with Hibs taking an early lead through Steven Fletcher. Jason Scotland equalised for the Saints with 15 minutes remaining but any hopes the Perthshire side might have had of taking the lead were dashed in the early stages of extra time, with goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert failing to eal with David Murphy’s free kick. Abdessalam Benjelloun made sure of the victory when he rounded Cuthbert late on for number three.

Hibs 2, St Johnstone 1; January 30 2016

A case of deja vu as the two teams met against at Tynecastle, at the same stage of the competition, nine years on later. Jason Cummings’ 29th minute penalty put Hibs in front only for Joe Shaughnessy to level five minutes later.

No need for extra time in this game however as John McGinn secured Hibs place in the final with a well-taken long-range effort 15 minutes from time.

Hibs 2, Celtic 4; October 21 2017

Hibs and Celtic met at Hampden on a sodden October afternoon, with two goals from Mikael Lustig putting the Hoops in the driving seat at half-time. However, Anthony Stokes' penalty on the hour mark handed Hibs a lifeline, at least until Moussa Dembele restored Celtic's two-goal lead five minutes later.

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Substitute Oli Shaw scored with his first touch with 20 minutes remaining but any hopes Hibs had of taking the game to extra time were dashed by Dembele who netted his second and Celtic's fourth with time running out.

Hibs 2, Celtic 5; November 2 2019

Hibs and Celtic met at Hampden on a sodden November afternoon and the Bhoys were 2-0 up after 20 minutes through Mohamed Elyounoussi and Callum McGregor. Melker Hallberg hit back for Hibs ten minutes before half-time only for Elyounoussi to stretch the gap to two goals just before the interval.

Former Hibee Scott Brown netted a fourth for Celtic with substitute Florian Kamberi replying for Hibs two minutes later. Brown grabbed his second at the death, with the result spelling the end for Easter Road boss Paul Heckingbottom.

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