Alan Stubbs Hails Hibernian Bravery In Aberdeen Upset

Hibernian head coach Alan Stubbs praised his side's courage after they inflicted Aberdeen's first domestic defeat of the season.

Stunning late goals from Jason Cummings and Dominique Malonga ensured that the Championship outfit will go into Monday's Scottish League Cup quarter-final draw.

And after sensing that his side were slightly overwhelmed about going up against the Premiership leaders in the first half, Stubbs was delighted that they managed to emerge victorious.

He said: It is very satisfying, I thought it was two teams cancelling each other out in the first half and in the second half it opened up.

I didn't feel we played that well in the first half, I thought we took time to believe in ourselves and were rushed in possession.

I spoke to them about being brave at half-time and I thought we were more positive in the second half.

They were both fantastic goals. It's taken a great strike to break the deadlock from Jason and Dom's is the icing on the cake.

This will certainly help but there was a belief in the dressing room beforehand, I think it took us 45 minutes to realise that belief at times.

It's a great result for us, there is no denying it. The players can get excited about it but I'm sad and I'm already thinking about St Mirren.''

The defeat was Aberdeen's first domestic set-back after winning their first eight matches in the top-flight and Dons manager Derek McInnes admits they lacked a cutting edge at Easter Road.

McInnes, who also lost Willo Flood and Graeme Shinnie to ankle and heel injuries respectively in the first half, said: Firstly you have to congratulate Hibs, I didn't think there was a lot in the game.

They went with a system that we've used ourselves in European games and I think you have to give them credit for how resilient they were.

Although they didn't threaten us too much apart from a couple of counter-attacks, we never did enough to threaten their goal either. We were looking for more quality in the final third.

Young Cummings comes up with a quality goal and it was enough to separate the teams at that stage.

We're disappointed we didn't find the answers to separate the teams and Hibs have.''