Hibernian 1-2 Aberdeen: Pittodrie side need Celtic cup win to secure Europe
- Published
Highlights: Hibernian 1-2 Aberdeen
Aberdeen's Europa League hopes rest on Celtic winning the Scottish Cup after they beat Hibernian to finish fourth in the Scottish Premiership.
Derek McInnes' side needed to better Kilmarnock's result, but the Ayrshire team's 2-1 win over Rangers secured them third place on goal difference.
Marc McNulty fired Hibs ahead from a delightful Fraser Murray pass.
Sam Cosgrove finished well to level before the break and James Wilson struck the winner after the break.
Cosgrove also had a late penalty saved by Ofir Marciano after Gary Mackay-Steven had been fouled by David Gray.
Should holders Celtic win the Scottish Cup in next week's final against Hearts, Aberdeen will join Kilmarnock and league runners-up Rangers in next season's Europa League qualifiers.
Aberdeen's efforts not enough - as yet
McInnes sent his Aberdeen players out with the message that three points would be required if they were to have any chance of finishing third and be assured of a sixth successive European campaign.
Lewis Ferguson in particular was in the mood, warming the hands of Marciano with an effort from distance and then a 20-drive on target but blocked by his own captain Graeme Shinnie.
The home side slowly eased their way into the game and Murray, who celebrated his 20th birthday earlier this month, flicked a wonderful ball through for McNulty to coolly slot home from eight yards.
Murray then curled a shot just wide and McNulty inexplicably nodded the ball back across goal when an effort towards it may well have been the better option.
Aberdeen had been under the cosh but carved an equaliser when Connor McLennan delivered low and Cosgrove got the break of the ball before firing across Marciano into the right corner.
A wonderful four-man move on the left involving McLennan, Cosgrove and substitute Stevie May drew the Hibs defence to the ball and opened up the space for the unmarked Wilson to roll past Marciano.
The goal came just as Rangers' Alfredo Morelos equalised at Rugby Park and the travelling fans at Easter Road were now in full voice.
Gray had a shot from close range saved at the second attempt by Tomas Cerny and Stevie Mallan's mis-hit effort was gathered easily by the Aberdeen goalkeeper.
After Kilmarnock had gone ahead again in Ayrshire, McLennan's replacement Mackay-Steven was felled by Gray only for Cosgrove's awful spot-kick to be blocked by the legs of Marciano.
And though it had no effect on the result in Edinburgh, Cosgrove failed to draw level on league goals with Morelos, who finished one clear in the scoring charts with 18.
Wilson was left all alone to slide home what turned out to be the winner
'It was a terrific performance' - reaction
Hibernian manager Paul Heckingbottom: "It was a terrific performance. Everything we did wrong came back to haunt us but everything we did right we didn't get the rewards for.
"We had the full-backs getting forward. I want people chipping in with single figures and more people getting into double figures because that's the way we're going to win games."
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "We asked the players to do their job and we got the three points and 67 points despite all those injuries this season it's still not bad.
"Our away form has been spot on. Nobody better I don't think, in the league. Some of the home performances in the second half of the season have ultimately come back to bite us."