[ritchiebaby]

This Scottish League Cup quarter-final is probably not the most important game for Hibs this season, but any progression in any competition is very acceptable. Hibs only seem to be able to draw matches at Easter Road these days and another draw against United would be quite acceptable. After that it becomes a lottery and cool heads will win the day.

Dylan McGeouch is unavailable for Hibs after being sent off in the 2-0 win in the previous round against Ross County. This to me, give Hibs the opportunity to open the door to the last chance saloon for Liam Craig. He should be good enough, but he seems to just plod through games without giving the impression he is interested in doing his best. I'd make one or two changes to rest some of our more influential players and see what others can do. I feel that we have a reasonable chance of going through to the semi-final, but if we don't, it's no big deal.

Dundee United bring back Paul Paton and Mark Wilson into their squad after being left out at the weekend due to them allegedly being involved in the attack on Lukasz Zaliukas a week ago. It's worth noting that ex-Hibee John Rankin, of "squiggler" fame, has had a new lease of life since going to United. However, so far this month, United have lost their last 2 away games without scoring and only defeated Partick Thistle at Tannadice with a late Ciftci penalty. In the last round of this competition, it took an injury time goal against 10-man Dundee to get to this stage.

My team:-
Oxley,
Gray, Fontaine, Hanlon, Stevenson,
Kennedy, Craig, Robertson, Allan,
Stanton, Heffernan.

Handling, Lewis Allan and Malonga would be my substitutes.

GGTTH

[ritchiebaby]

Half-time and it's Hibs 1 Dundee United 2. A flurry of 3 goals in 8 minutes saw United take the lead through Chris Erskine, Hibs equalise through Dominique Malonga, only for United to draw ahead again after an Aidan Connolly shot.

Hibs are playing a strong starting line-up, so Alan Stubbs is wanting to keep the unbeaten run going. There's everything to play for and Hibs should be fairly confident of taking the game to United early in the second half.

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It's yet another draw after 90 minutes at Easter Road - Hibs 3 Dundee United 3. According to BBC Radio Scotland pundit John Robertson
"I noted down 18 attempts at goal by both sides. This has been one of the best 90 minutes I have seen for a long, long time."

Hibs did equalise early in the second half, thanks to Jason Cummings, but fell behind soon afterwards when Ryan Dow scored for United. Matthew Kennedy hit Hibs 3rd equaliser of the night when his deflected shot found the top corner with 12 minutes to go.

More of the same please! But let's have Hibs take the lead this time - and keep it!

[ritchiebaby]

Still 3-3 after extra time. Now it's cool heads v tired legs. Let the individual battles begin!

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And it's all over for Hibs as United win the penalty shoot-out by 7-6. The first 12 penalties were scored but perhaps then nerves got the better of both teams, but full credit to United keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak for 2 fine saves at the end to deny Hibs. All in all, a positive performance from Hibs with thoughts of what might have been, if only............. We've come out of the game with our heads held high and United know they've been in a game and a half, + penalties!

It seems to have been a great advert for Scottish football, unlike many other games.

[Amelia Chaffinch]

Snoots was following the shoot out on twitter. Can't believe we didn't take advantage when they missed one.

[ritchiebaby]

It's Hibs, Amelia.

[Amelia Chaffinch]

I thought we might have been turning a corner lately. That's what thought did!

[ritchiebaby]

We have turned a corner! But it's a long and winding road we're on. We've given one of the better teams a bit of a gliff (fright, if you don't know) and we must take a lot of credit out of this game.