Inverness CT 1-1 AET (4-5 pens) Heart of Midlothian

From Hearts Media at Easter Road.

Hearts will return to Hampden for a second season in a row after a highly dramatic penalty shootout victory over Inverness CT in the Scottish Communities League Cup Semi Final at Easter Road.

Andrew Shinnie's strike just after the interval put the Highlanders ahead, only for debutant Michael Ngoo to fire the Jambos level midway through the half. Hearts then had to negotiate extra time with only ten men after Scott Robinson received a straight red card.

The Gorgie side then converted all their penalties before Philip Roberts fired the final kick high over the bar amidst frantic Maroon celebrations.

New signing Ngoo slotted straight into the line-up as he spearheaded the Maroon attacking line, flanked by Jamie Walker and Andy Driver.

John McGlynn made a total of six changes to the side which lost to Celtic last week, with youngsters Fraser Mullen and Calum Tapping given a chance to impress at right back and central midfield respectively.

Hearts enjoyed the brighter start at the home of their great rivals, yet had keeper Jamie Macdonald to thank in the 14th minute as he produced a superb one hand save to deny Billy McKay after the striker was played clean through on goal.

The prolific scorer flashed a header wide shortly after, with Ngoo having hit the post up the other end minutes before after a fine cross from Danny Wilson.

It was Terry Butcher's men who broke the deadlock, however, as they capitalised on some sloppy Hearts defending just minutes into the second half. Driver conceded possesison on the edge of the box, enabling Andrew Shinnie to dart inside before dragging a low shot into the far corner.

The Jam Tarts immediately piled on the pressure and eventually got the goal they deserved midway through the half. Mullen's free kick from the right was played back across the goalmouth by Webster, enabling Ngoo to fire a volley into the left corner from six yards out.

The boys in Maroon continued to press forward in search of a winner, but were dealt a blow on 77 minutes when Euan Norris dismissed Robinson following a two footed challenge on McKay.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, McGlynn's men looked resolute and still produced plenty of attacking play as ICT struggled to sustain their pressure.

Substiute Arvydas Novikovas raced in behind the ICT backline midway through the first half of extra time, but his flick over the keeper took a defleciton and trickled inches wide of the post.

Macdonald then procuded another spectactular save minutes later, as the Jambos began to sense that this might just be their night. McKay beat the offside trap and laid the ball off to Richie Foran who, with Macdonald beaten, stumbled on the ball and was forced to play it back across to McKay, enabling Macdonald to get to his feet and produce a magnificent stop to deny the Highlanders the winning goal.

The tie eventually went to penalties, with Hearts converting all of their five spot kicks taken by Zaliukas, Ngoo, Webster, Novikovas and Taouil. With the shootout poised at 4-4, however, Philip Roberts blasted his kick high over the bar. Easter Road duly erupted as the Jambos sealed their return to Hampden in dramatic fashion.

Inverness CT: Reguero; Raven, Warren, Meekings, G.Shinnie; Doran (Roberts 88), Tudur Jones, Draper, Foran (Sutherland 96), A. Shinnie; McKay. Subs not used: Esson, Devine, Sutherland, Ross.

Hearts: Macdonald; Mullen, Webster, Zaliukas, Wilson; Tapping (Taouil 96), Holt, Robinson; Walker (McGowan 112), Ngoo, Driver (Novikovas 66). Subs not used: Ridgers, Sutton.

Referee: Euan Norris

Top man: Michael Ngoo

Hearts World