The player ratings for the Scottish League Cup semi-final between Dundee United and Aberdeen
ABERDEEN
SCOTT BROWN: Rooted to his line as Callum Morris headed United level then looked at fault for Nadir Ciftci's winner. 5
SHAY LOGAN: Kept busy by the ever-dangerous Stuart Armstrong but still tried to get forward whenever possible.6
DONERVON DANIELS: Just days after arriving on loan from West Brom, the 21 year-old from Montserrat marked his debut by heading Aberdeen in front early in the second half and could have had two more before the half was out. Defensively diligent as well at the other end. 7
MARK REYNOLDS: Solid display from the captain who did well to restrict Ciftci to half-chances. Terrific last-gasp clearance off his own goal line to deny Ryan Dow after his own header back had been weak. 7
ANDREW CONSIDINE: Coped well with the threat of Gary Mackay-Steven down United's right wing. Claimed an assist for Aberdeen's goal with an impressive long throw-in into the United box. 6
NIALL MCGINN: Featured only in sporadic flashes as the heavy Hampden pitch took its toll. Saw more of the ball in the second half but unable to make telling impact. 5
RYAN JACK: Quietly efficient in a non-flashy role, sticking to Charlie Telfer like a second shadow. Thought he had scored midway through the second half only for Cierzniak to make a terrific stop. Booked late on and could have been sent off in injury time. 6
JONNY HAYES: Forever busy in the middle of the park and not afraid to help out with the defensive chores either. 6
PETER PAWLETT: Passed up Aberdeen's best chance of the first half, his goalbound effort well blocked by Callum Morris. Second-half shot saved by Cierzniak then booked for clumsy tackle on Sean Dillon. 6
DAVID GOODWILLIE: Former Dundee United man failed to circumnavigate a path round Radoslaw Cierzniak when a chance opened up early in the second, then saw a header bounce over the top. 6
ADAM ROONEY: Last season's cup-winning hero thought he had put Aberdeen back in front only for his header to be chopped off by referee Steven McLean for a foul in the build-up. 6
Subs:
Cammy Smith (for Pawlett 84): On too late to make an impact.
DUNDEE UNITED
RADOSLAW CIERZNIAK: Some hairy moments but his one-handed save from a disbelieving Ryan Jack's point-blank range effort to keep the scores level with 20 minutes to go was as important as either goal 7
RYAN MCGOWAN: Will perhaps feel he could have done a bit more to prevent the Aberdeen goal but fitted in well on debut for the most part 6
JAROSLAW FOJUT: Worked efficiently alongside Morris to minimise the threat posed by Goodwillie and Rooney 6
CALLUM MORRIS: Towering leap above the defence to register the goal that turned the game his side's way and showed real courage in the first half to make a vital block when Pawlett looked set to score 7
SEAN DILLON: Shifted flanks from his regular slot, led by committed example with a fine follow-up challenge after that Morris block to prevent Goodwillie from upsetting his former club 6
PAUL PATON: Superb work-rate in protecting the back four and some excellent distribution, particularly when United repeatedly came close to crafting openings in the first half 7
CALUM BUTCHER: A couple of passes in the first half came close to opening up the Dons defencde and busy alongside Paton in ensuring that the back four was not over-worked 6
GARY MACKAY-STEVEN: Caught offside a couple of times too often in the first half but carried a threat throughout constantly stretching the Aberdeen defence down the right and accurately delivered the corner that Morris converted 7
CHARLIE TELFER: Struggled to get into the game and the quiet nature of his contribution was accentuated by the liveliness of Ryan Dow after he replaced him 5
STUART ARMSTRONG: Will have more influential games but carried the ball well on a few occasions 6
NADIR CIFTCI: Very lively opening to the game in seeking tom set the tone and his deft flick decided the outcome 8
Subs:
Ryan Dow (for Telfer 58): Made a real difference passing well and taking men, including when winning the corner that produced the equaliser 7
Henier Anier (for Ciftci 90): Came of far too late to make a significant difference but did his bit with one lengthy piece of possession close to the corner flag in injury time
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