The 2013 Scottish League Cup final was the 67th final of the Scottish League Cup. The final took place on 17 March 2013 at Hampden Park, Glasgow. The clubs contesting the 2013 final were SPL clubs, St Mirren and Hearts.
As Hearts finished in the top five of the SPL, they entered the League Cup in the third round. They made a convincing start, defeating Livingston in third round. A much tougher test awaited the Jambos in the shape of Dundee United in the quarter-finals, although they defeated the 2008/09 semi-finalists on penalty kicks. Hearts came up against Inverness CT in the semi-finals at Easter Road and were again victorious on penalties.
St Mirren finished 8th in the SPL and entered the League Cup in the second round. They too made a fantastic start, thrashing Ayr United. Hamilton were the Buddies' opponents in the third round and Danny Lennon's men sneaked through after a goal in stoppage time. The quarter-finals saw the Saints take a trip up to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen, and after a 2–2 draw after extra time, the men from Paisley won on penalties. A trip to Hampden Park for the semi-finals saw St Mirren run out 3–2 winners against Celtic and set up a final against Hearts. St Mirren won the final 3–2 against Hearts. It was their first major trophy since the 1987 Scottish Cup victory.
Route to the final
Hearts were one of the five Scottish Premier League sides who entered the League Cup in the third round. St Mirren finished 8th in the Scottish Premier League the previous season and entered the League Cup in the second round.
St Mirren Round Opposition Score Second round Ayr United 5–1 (h) Third round Hamilton 1–0 (h) Quarter-final Aberdeen 1–1 (4–2 p) (a) Semi-final Celtic 3–2 (n)
In the second round St Mirren faced a home tie against Second Division team Ayr United. Five different players got on the scoresheet for the Saints and saw them through comfortably.
In the next round St Mirren faced First Division team Hamilton at St Mirren Park. Lee Mair's goal in the 92nd minute gave the home side victory.
St Mirren drew with Aberdeen in the quarter-finals, but were victorious on penalty kicks.
St Mirren beat Celtic in the semi-final with a magnificent display. Paul McGowan, formerly of Celtic, was one of the Saints' three goalscorers.
Hearts Round Opposition Score Third round Livingston 3–1 (h) Quarter-final Dundee United 1–1 (5–4 p) (a) Semi-final Inverness CT 1–1 (5–4 p) (n)
In the third round Hearts faced a home tie against First Division team Livingston. Two goals from Marius Žaliūkas and one from Danny Grainger saw the Jambos through comfortably. In the next round Hearts faced fellow Scottish Premier League team Dundee United at Tannadice. Callum Paterson opened the scoring for Hearts before Johnny Russell equalised for the home side.
Hearts beat Inverness CT on penalties in the semi-final. Andrew Shinnie put the Highlanders ahead shortly after half time, but debutant Michael Ngoo struck the equaliser for the Gorgie club.
Match Details
ST MIRREN: GK1 Craig SamsonRB2 David van ZantenCB14 Marc McAuslandCB6 Jim Goodwin (c)LB3 Paul DummettRM21 Gary Teale CM10 Paul McGowanCM24 Conor Newton LM29 John McGinn CF9 Steven Thompson CF77 Esmaël Gonçalves Substitutes:GK16 Grant AdamDF5 Lee Mair MF11 Graham Carey MF17 Kenny McLean FW19 Sam Parkin Manager: Danny LennonHEARTS: GK1 Jamie MacDonaldRB19 Dylan McGowan CB6 Andy Webster (c)CB4 Danny WilsonLB29 Kevin McHattieRM7 Ryan Stevenson CM5 Darren Barr CM10 Mehdi Taouil LM14 Jamie Walker CF21 Michael Ngoo CF9 John Sutton Substitutes:GK13 Mark RidgersDF28 Brad McKayMF15 Jason Holt MF18 Arvydas Novikovas FW37 Dale Carrick Manager: Gary Locke MATCH OFFICIALS Referee: Craig Thomson Assistant Referee 1: Alasdair Ross Assistant Referee 2: Derek Rose Fourth Official: Kevin ClancyMATCH RULES 90 minutes 30 minutes of extra-time if necessary Penalty shoot-out if scores still level Five named substitutes Maximum of three substitutions
References