Close encounters of the semi-final kind

ABERDEEN are going for four in a row against Hibernian this afternoon, having won three of the previous four Scottish semi-finals between the sides. Here, we take a brief look at the matches...

1979: Aberdeen 1-2 Hibs

At Hampden. Attendance: 9,837

Scorers: Archibald. Rae, MacLeod

Blossoming Aberdeen, under the guidance of ambitious manager Alex Ferguson, were on the verge of breaking Old Firm dominance and were hot favourites, having beaten Hibs in the League Cup semi-final four months earlier. With big names such as Willie Miller, Gordon Strachan and Joe Harper in their line-up, they duly took the lead through Steve Archibald after 28 minutes. But Hibs talented, quicksilver midfielder, Ally MacLeod emerged as the Easter Road side’s hero, orchestrating their comeback with a brilliant individual performance. He set up the attack which resulted in Gordon Rae sweeping home the equaliser then, six minutes later, was felled in the penalty box and and stepped forward himself to despatch the winner from the spot.

1986: Aberdeen 3-0 Hibs

At Dens Park. Attendance: 19,165

Scorers: Stark, Black, Miller

This time, the teams met in the semi-final having clashed in the final of the League Cup. Aberdeen had cruised through by 3-0 on that occasion, and repeated the feat at Dens. Alex Ferguson’s team had become cup experts and would go on to win their fourth final in five years. Goals by Billy Stark, Eric Black and Willie Miller swept aside a Hibs side which never looked like getting off the mark.

1993: Aberdeen 1-0 Hibs

At Tynecastle. Attendance: 21,413

Scorers: Booth

The record books say that Scott Booth was the matchwinner, having knocked home the only goal, converting a cutback from the byeline by Paul Kane. But goalkeeper Theo Snelders, whose performance had been brilliant throughout, became the late hero. A replay looked inevitable when Gareth Evans powered a shot through a mass of legs in the Aberdeen penalty area. The ball was scorching for the bottom corner, when Snelders somehow got down to turn it round the post.

2000: Aberdeen 2-1 Hibs

At Hampden. Attendance: 22,632

Scorers: Stavrum, Dow. Latapy

Hibs were convinced that this was finally going to be their year, and when Russell Latapy danced his way through the Dons defence to slot in the opening goal, it seemed their dreams were going to come true. But, perplexingly, Alex McLeish’s side then sat back, invited Aberdeen to attack them, and paid the penalty. With Eoin Jess in inspired form, the Dons equalised through Arild Stavrum before former Hibs man Andy Dow scored a delightful winner.