Aberdeen vs Hibernian. Scottish Premiership.
Pittodrie.
Match report as Hibernian secure third place in the Scottish Premiership over opponents Aberdeen; Christian Doidge scores only goal of the game at Pittodrie; Aberdeen miss a series of chances to score and are set to finish in fourth
Wednesday 12 May 2021 23:45, UK
Christian Doidge's first-half goal ensured Hibernian will finish the Scottish Premiership season in third place after they beat Aberdeen 1-0.
Doidge's powerful strike on the half-volley just before the interval at Pittodrie means Aberdeen can no longer catch their Edinburgh rivals, who also have the Scottish Cup final to look forward to.
Welshman Doidge's goal was the highlight of a first half in which both sides played neat football but the goalkeepers were rarely tested.
The home side could have been in front after 39 minutes as Ryan Hedges' mis-kick presented Callum Hendry with an excellent opportunity 15 yards out, but the on-loan St Johnstone striker fluffed his lines and sent his effort well over the crossbar.
His profligacy was quickly punished, as Hibs were soon in front. Darren McGregor's long ball out of defence set up the chance, with Doidge working hard to win the ball before it sat up kindly for him to drill past goalkeeper Gary Woods from just outside the area.
Aberdeen could have levelled before the break as Hendry peeled off his man to meet Connor McLennan's right-wing cross with a powerful header, but Matt Macey was well-placed to grasp the ball.
Hibs should have been out of sight three minutes after the interval when Martin Boyle sized up a fine cross to the back post, but Jackson Irvine was unable to direct his shot on target after a good first touch.
The home side needed to win to stay in the race for third, and Hedges will have been disappointed with his finish into the side-netting after being granted all the time in the world to turn in the Hibs area.
Florian Kamberi also had a good opening after fine build-up play from Hendry in the area, but the Albania forward somehow sent his effort well wide.
The game opened up as Aberdeen pushed for a leveller, with Niall McGinn and Fraser Hornby thrown on in attacking positions, but Hibs were happy to soak up the pressure and hit on the counter, with their own substitute Jamie Murphy stinging the palms of Woods with a decent strike from distance.
And ultimately, Jack Ross' men did what they had to to seal that third spot they had targeted.
Hibs and Aberdeen are already assured of their places in the new Europa Conference League and will enter at the second qualifying round.
But Hibs could yet play in the Europa League; a place in the play-off round of Europe's second-tier club competition goes to the winners of the Scottish Cup.
If Hibs beat St Johnstone on May 22, they would enter the Europa League and their Europa Conference place would go to whoever finishes fifth in the league.
Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass: "Any time you lose is frustrating, but the manner of the performance shows there's something valuable to build on. You saw a team that moved the ball quick and was very dangerous. They were the better team in my opinion.
"We lost so that's frustrating but in terms of performance level the players were excellent.
"Hibs had that one real opportunity and they took it. It's disappointing from our point of view, but we made opportunities we should have done better with and the performance level was brilliant.
"This period coming in since the start of April has given us the opportunity to see what we'd like to change. It's a constant evaluation and it'll be the same next summer. That's been hugely valuable to us."
Hibernian manager Jack Ross: "You saw by the reaction of the players and staff how much it meant to us.
"It's been the driver from day one and it was a realistic ambition but also a big one. It's been 15 years since we finished in that position.
"We asked the group to be honest and they felt they could finish third. I thought that was a big target but achievable and they've shown brilliant resilience and character to do that.
"It's been a brilliant season and it'll be outstanding if they can win the cup final as well.
"It's a bonus that we've secured third and Saturday has no significance on league position so we will use the squad and everything now is about being successful on May 22. It'll be good reward for some of the players who haven't played many minutes lately."
Aberdeen finish their Scottish Premiership season at champions Rangers on Saturday, live on Sky Sports. Hibernian will also welcome Celtic in their final league game. Both games kick-off at 12.30pm.
