Aberdeen swept aside lower-league Kelty Hearts with a commanding 3-0 victory in the Scottish League Cup group stage at Pittodrie on July 25, 2026. The Dons, overwhelming favourites against the League One side, asserted their dominance from the opening whistle, controlling possession and creating numerous chances. A first-half brace from Bojan Miovski put the hosts firmly in control before an own goal early in the second half sealed a comfortable win that keeps Aberdeen’s hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds firmly alive.

Match Overview

Aberdeen came into this match looking to build momentum after a solid pre-season, and they faced a Kelty Hearts side that had already shown resilience in earlier cup ties. From the outset, the Dons pressed high and moved the ball quickly through midfield, exploiting gaps in Kelty’s defensive setup. The home crowd at Pittodrie was treated to an energetic performance that never allowed the visitors to settle.

Key Moments

• 17th minute: Aberdeen opened the scoring through Bojan Miovski, who latched onto a clever through ball from Connor Barron and slotted calmly into the bottom corner.
• 39th minute: Miovski doubled the lead with a powerful header from a corner, outjumping the Kelty defence to make it 2-0 just before halftime.
• 52nd minute: A deflected cross from Aberdeen winger Duk was turned into his own net by a Kelty Hearts defender, giving the Dons a three-goal cushion.
• 70th minute: Kelty Hearts pushed for a consolation but were denied by a fine save from Aberdeen goalkeeper Kelle Roos, preserving the clean sheet.

Tactical Story

Aberdeen manager Barry Robson set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Miovski as the lone striker supported by wide players Duk and Luis Lopes. The midfield duo of Graeme Shinnie and Connor Barron controlled the tempo, while the full-backs pushed high to create overloads. Kelty Hearts, playing a compact 4-4-2, struggled to contain Aberdeen’s width and were often caught out by quick switches of play. The visitors had no answer to the Dons’ intensity and were reduced to long-range efforts that rarely troubled Roos.

Standout Players

Bojan Miovski was the star of the show, scoring twice and leading the line superbly. His movement and finishing were clinical. Connor Barron pulled the strings in midfield, completing over 90% of his passes and providing the assist for the first goal. At the back, Slobodan Rubežić marshalled the defence effectively, winning every aerial duel and helping to keep a clean sheet.

Season Impact

This victory puts Aberdeen on three points in their Scottish League Cup group, putting them in a strong position to advance. For Kelty Hearts, the defeat is a harsh lesson in the gulf between the Premiership and League One, but they can take heart from their effort against a top-tier side. The Dons will look to carry this form into their next cup fixture as they aim for silverware in the 2026-27 season.