Edinburgh derby drawn for League Cup semi-finals as Rangers face Aberdeen

Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian have been paired in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, with Rangers drawn against Aberdeen in the other tie. The Scottish Professional Football League confirmed the pairings after Sunday's draw at Ibrox, completing the last-four line-up following a quarter-final weekend in which three clubs won 3-0 and Aberdeen needed penalties.

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The semi-finals are scheduled for the weekend of October 31 and November 1, with BBC Sport reporting that both will be played at Hampden Park. The SPFL has set the final for Sunday, December 13. The draw therefore guarantees an Edinburgh club a place in the final, while Rangers and Aberdeen will contest the other berth.

Rangers secured their place by defeating Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon. According to the SPFL's match report, Dan Neil opened the scoring midway through the first half before Kevin Kelsy made it 2-0 in the 59th minute. Neil, who joined from Sunderland during the summer, added his second from outside the penalty area with 15 minutes remaining.

Aberdeen's route was considerably tighter. They beat Kilmarnock 3-1 in a shoot-out at Rugby Park on Saturday after a 1-1 draw. Kevin Nisbet put the visitors ahead, but Tyreece John-Jules equalised. Daniel Happe's dismissal in the 57th minute left Aberdeen with 10 men; goalkeeper Marius Muller subsequently saved three penalties to send Stephen Robinson's side through, the league reported.

Hibernian settled their quarter-final against Ross County with three first-half goals in Dingwall. Thibault Klidje, Adam Mayor from the penalty spot, and Ante Suto scored in the 3-0 victory. Hearts had already advanced on Friday night, also winning 3-0, against Stenhousemuir at Ochilview. Neither Edinburgh side conceded in the last eight, unlike Aberdeen, whose place depended on the shoot-out.

The derby pairing brings another meeting between the capital rivals after Hearts won 3-1 at Easter Road in this season's Scottish Premiership, BBC Sport reported. The broadcaster also noted that Rangers last won this competition in 2023-24, beating Aberdeen 1-0 in the final. Those clubs are now paired one round earlier, with the winners joining Hearts or Hibernian in December's decider.