Neil Warnock has ended his brief Aberdeen tenure with a second Scottish Cup victory, this time securing a place in the semi-final. The veteran manager, who failed to win a premiership game in six attempts, will make way for a yet unknown new manager. Aberdeen, in a statement released soon after the final whistle, say the search for a new manager is at an advanced stage, and coach Peter Leven will lead the first team until the new manager is announced. Despite poor results in the league, Aberdeen fans will soon reminisce fondly over the legendary manager’s short spell in the granite city.

The first of the Scottish cup quarter final matches saw Kilmarnock make the 169-mile journey for a questionably early 12:15pm kickoff, live on BBC. With the visitors dominated the previous encounter, just two weeks earlier, they were the bookies favourites pre match. Warnock made two changes from last week’s devastating last-minute defeat at the hands of St Mirren in Paisley, with Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes and Richard Jensen dropping to the bench as Jamie McGrath and Jack MacKenzie made the starting 11. A fairly packed Pittodrie, with a respectable travelling support welcomed the teams onto the pitch as kickoff approached.

The Dons started well, and it took just 11 minutes for Jaime McGrath to open the scoring for Aberdeen, tapping home a saved Junior Hoilett strike. Despite intense pressure from Kilmarnock, including a flurry of dangerous corners, Aberdeen doubled their lead with an unstoppable Graeme Shinnie drive into the top-left corner, assisted by McGrath. Kilmarnock managed to gain a foothold in the game before half time, with Danny Armstrong scoring in front of the away crowd.

Aberdeen re-established their two goal cushion in 66th minute, Jaime McGrath once again involved as his shot deflected of Stuart Findlay and past a rooted Will Dennis. Kilmarnock struggled to maintain pressure on the steadfast Dons backline, and looked resigned to the loss. Aberdeen slowed the game down, using four substitutions in the final 10. John Beaton blew the final whistle after five minutes of injury time, confirming Aberdeen’s Hampden spot and Kilmarnock’s elimination. The Dons will learn their semi-final opponents on Monday evening, with Celtic, Livingston, Hibernian, Rangers, Morton, and Hearts yet to play. Killie will turn their attention back to the league, as they look to secure European football for the first time in 5 years.

Match Facts:

Goals:
Aberdeen	Kilmarnock
McGrath 11′	Armstrong 41′
Shinnie 33′
Findlay 66′ (OG)

Bookings:
Aberdeen	Kilmarnock
MacKenzie 46′	Armstrong 62′
McGrath 70′	Wright 62′
Shinnie 90′

Aberdeen		Kilmarnock
53%	Possession	47%
5	Shots on target	2
4	Corners	6
12	Fouls	13
1	Offsides	2