Aberdeen secured their place in next month’s Scottish Cup final with a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Hearts at Hampden Park. The Dons will now face either St Johnstone or Celtic as they aim to lift the famous old trophy for the first time since 1990.
Hearts started the semi-final brightly, with Elton Kabangu and James Wilson pressing the Aberdeen defence from the opening whistle. The first real chance of the game came just three minutes in, when Jambos skipper Lawrence Shankland fired wide after Dons keeper Dimitar Mitov failed to deal with a James Penrice cross.
Penrice was a constant threat down the flank, causing problems for Aberdeen every time he got on the ball.
Despite failing to register a single shot in the opening 15 minutes, Aberdeen took the lead in the 18th minute through a Craig Gordon own goal. A Leighton Clarkson corner was met by the head of Pape Gueye, whose effort struck the crossbar before bouncing off the back of the Hearts goalkeeper and into the net.
Aberdeen had two golden opportunities to double their lead shortly after. Topi Keskinen fired wide from inside the penalty area, and Shayden Morris rounded Gordon only for Gueye to miss the ball entirely from his cross.
Those missed chances came back to haunt Jimmy Thelin’s side. In the 29th minute, the impressive Penrice whipped in another dangerous cross, which Shankland chested down and rifled past Mitov to level the tie.
Hearts manager Neil Critchley, already under pressure after missing out on a top-six finish, saw his side reduced to ten men just before half-time. Centre-back Michael Steinwender was shown a straight red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity after lunging in on Keskinen as he broke forward.
At half-time, Critchley made two defensive substitutions, withdrawing attacking duo Wilson and Kabangu in favour of centre-backs Ryan Kent and Craig Halkett. The changes helped Hearts stem the tide, sitting in a compact defensive shape and allowing Aberdeen possession in deeper areas without conceding chances.
Gueye went close again on 54 minutes, glancing a header just wide, while Jamie McCart saw a headed effort sail over the bar at the other end four minutes later.
Thelin brought on Jamie McGrath – who has already agreed a pre-contract move to Hearts’ rivals Hibernian – to add some creativity. However, it was Clarkson who came closest in normal time, seeing a long-range strike deflected just wide with Gordon rooted to the spot.
Penrice nearly won it late for Hearts, curling an effort just past the post following a poor clearance from Oday Dabbagh.
With the score level after 90 minutes, the match went into extra time. Aberdeen continued to dominate possession, but found it difficult to break down a stubborn and disciplined Hearts side.
Their best opportunity in the first half of extra time came when Dabbagh was played in by Graeme Shinnie, but his low effort was saved and held well by Gordon.
Five minutes into the second period of extra time, Alexander Jensen spurned a golden opportunity for the Dons, firing wide from close range.
Hearts were reduced to nine men with just four minutes remaining when Cammy Devlin received a second yellow card for a foul on Dante Polvara.
That lack of discipline ultimately cost Hearts dearly. With two minutes to go, Craig Gordon produced yet another fine save, but this time Dabbagh was quickest to react, tapping in the rebound from close range to send the Aberdeen fans into raptures.
The Dons will now return to Hampden next month in search of their first Scottish Cup triumph since 1990, when Alex Smith and Jocky Scott were at the helm.
Heart of Midlothian: Gordon, Forrester (Kingsley, 78), Steinwender, McCart, Penrice, Devlin, Baningime (Spittal, 120), Grant (Kartum, 87), Shankland (Drameh, 113), Wilson (Kent, 45), Kabangu (Halkett, 45).
Substitutes: Fulton, Kent, Kingsley, Halkett, Spittal, Forrest, Kartum, Drammeh.
Aberdeen: Mitov, Jensen (Boyd, 116), Dorrington (Milne, 105), Knoester, Shinnie, Clarkson, Palaversa (McGrath, 69), Morris (Polvara, 90), Nisbet, Keskinen (Dabbagh, 81), Gueye (Okkels, 81).
Substitutes: Doohan, Devlin, McGrath, Polvara, Dabbagh, Okkels, Milne, Boyd.
Callum McFadden 