Saturday's Scottish football as it happened

Good afternoon, fans of Scottish football. Let's hope today's fare is a steaming winter warmer and not the equivalent of a burnt Yorkshire pudding and dried-out roast beef.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle are at Easter Road to contest a Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final against Scottish Cup holders Hearts. The kick-off for that one is 15:00 GMT.

In the Scottish Premier League, Dundee United play Ross County at Tannadice. I'll hammer away at my keyboard to keep you abreast of the play.

Six matches are off in the Scottish Football League because of frozen pitches - two in the Second Division and four in the Third. They are Albion Rovers v Stenhousemuir and Brechin City v Queen of South in the Second Division and in the bottom tier Annan Athletic v Peterhead, Berwick Rangers v Stirling Albion, East Stirlingshire v Clyde and Elgin City v Queen's Park.

Just listening to Sportsound, I have learned that Billy Dodds was invited by his former club Dundee United for an informal interview earlier this week about the managerial vacancy there. Well, well, well.

So, who do you think will be the new boss at Tannadice? Falkirk's Steven Pressley? Peterhead's Jim McInally, Brechin's Ray McKinnon or out-of-work Derek McInnes? How about Inverness manager Terry Butcher?

Here is a note of who is on the bench for Caley Thistle this afternoon: Devine, Roberts, Sutherland, Ross and Esson.

ICT manager Terry Butcher tells BBC Radio Scotland: "This is where we want to be. The boys have worked hard to get us to this platform. The atmosphere will build before kick-off. They have been wonderful, these boys. It's a good test for us. You can be condemned for playing the same teams too often but Hearts have thrown a spanner in the works by making six changes. The players are a fantastic bunch to work with. There should be goals in the game. It is going to be great. No-one is favourite, it's what you do on the day. We will have a go. We are a team that likes to get forward."

Hearts manager John McGlynn: "Young players will have no fear. They will get an opportunity today to show what they are all about. Michael Ngoo is going to be an awkward customer. They won't know what to expect. We watched him earlier in the season and we liked what we saw but we will learn a bit about him too. Caley have a lot of momentum going for them."

BBC Scotland football pundit - and former Hibs favourite - Craig Paterson: "When you look at the Caley Thistle team, I think they will have too much for Hearts today."

The teams come out to a huge roar at Easter Road. No sign of the players yet at Tannadice.

Hearts are all in white. Michael Ngoo is wearing number 21. Caley Thistle are in their blue strips. Let's get it on!

Signs of life on Tayside. United and County make the walk from the corner out to the halfway line.

Hearts goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald makes a hash of an early clearance but Inverness forward Billy McKay is unable to profit.

Dundee United's Gavin Gunning heads into the side netting from a Barry Douglas free-kick.

I wonder if Dundee United winger Gary Mackay-Steven can produce any moments of wonderful skill like his mid-air ball trap followed by overhead flick at Rugby Park last week? That wee bit of genius was viewed by more than quarter of a million people on the BBC Sport website.

Two attempts on goal at the same time...but not in the same game, of course...

Let's go to Easter Road first: Hearts defender Danny Wilson plays a one-two with Scott Robinson and fires in a shot that Antonio Reguero turns out for a corner.

And further up Scotland's east coast, Ross County's Rocco Quinn flashes a 20-yard drive just past Radoslaw Cierzniak's left-hand post. Both sides are keeping the ball on the deck and playing decent football at Tannadice.

As the Jambos win a corner, BBC Radio Scotland commentator Liam McLeod declares: "Michael Ngoo has got the Hearts fans on their feet!"

Billy McKay goes one-on-one with Jamie MacDonald but the Inverness striker's shot is well saved by the Hearts keeper - he got a firm hand down sharply to his left to keep the score 0-0.

At Tannadice, Gary Mackay-Steven is set up well at the edge of the Ross County box, but the winger's low shot is blocked.

There's a good foot of snow on the roof of the stand at the Shed End at Tannadice, yet there is no sign of the white stuff inside the ground. Weird.

Dundee United are enjoying a good spell of pressure against Derek Adams' County but there have been no clear-cut chances yet though.

Both sides are still playing neat football in the middle of the park, but chances are at a premium in Dundee at the moment.

BBC Scotland football pundit Allan Preston: "I thought Inverness would really dominate but it's not been like that."

Ivan Sproule is looking lively for County, which will cause Dundee United full-back Barry Douglas to make some crucial decisions as manager Peter Houston has clearly pushed him forward.

I couldn't help thinking of Craig Beattie's contribution to Hearts' Scottish Cup success last season when I read about him being released by St Johnstone this week.

BBC Scotland reporter Andy Burke: "For all those doubting the wisdom of hosting the semi-final away from Hampden, I can tell you the atmosphere inside Easter Road is cracking."

Gary Mackay-Steven lashes a right-footed shot just wide of the mark after a Barry Douglas corner is ineffectually cleared - best chance of the first half for Dundee United.

In the First Division, the three teams vying for the title are being held by their opponents...or are losing. Leaders Morton are drawing 0-0 with Raith Rovers, Partick Thistle are tied at 1-1 with Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline are losing 1-0 to Livingston.

BBC Scotland reporter Andy Burke: "On first showing Hearts' new loan striker Michael Ngoo looks a read handful. Strong and good in the air. Shades of a former Hearts favourite, Mark De Vries."

Billy McKay leaps to head an Andrew Shinnie free-kick wide. The Hearts defence was very exposed in that attack. Sorry, but I feel my first ever hashtag aside coming on... #ballwatching.

And that will be my last. #promise.

Just on that rash challenge by Foran a moment ago, BBC Scotland football pundit Allan Preston remarks: "That is a yellow card and it would have been a second yellow."

Just before Iain Brines blew for half-time at Tannadice, Jonny Russell charged down a clearance from visiting keeper Mark Brown after some sloppy passing in the County defence, but the ball spun off his leg and went just wide.

What will the second half at Easter Road bring us? A goal perhaps?

I fancy a goal will be scored; if not, then we're looking at extra-time and penalties for Hearts and Inverness.

A modest pitch "invasion" is cleared up by the stewards in the aftermath of that goal at Easter Road.

The attendance at Easter Road is 16,336, the bulk of which are Hearts fans, as you'd expect for a match in Edinburgh.

Michael Ngoo's driven cross strikes the arm of Ross Draper but no penalty is awarded.

Jeez-oh, the Inverness players work hard for one another. They look so determined not to let this narrow lead slip. Can they reach their first major final?

At Tannadice, the dangerous Ivan Sproule shoots left-footed from 10 yards as Ross County try to get back on level terms, but Radoslaw Cierzniak pulls off a good save.

Hearts defender Danny Wilson swings a low cross into the Inverness box but the blue defensive line holds firm.

Former United defender Mihael Kovacevic tests Radoslaw Cierzniak with a shot from distance. The goal has sparked the match at Tannadice into life.

In fact, Andy Webster needs a new top after getting blood on his shirt. It's been a physical affair at Easter Road.

Inverness players Gary Warren, Josh Meekings and Richie Foran are sitting on a booking, while Hearts goal hero Michael Ngoo has also gone into Euan Norris's wee book.

Dundee United would move up to fifth in the SPL table if they can hold on to their lead against Ross County.

BBC Scotland reporter Andy Burke: "Hearts down to 10 men. Will Caley Thistle ever have a better chance of reaching their first cup final?"

The game at Tannadice is becoming stretched, and United's John Rankin flashes a shot from the edge of the box wide and over.

Dundee United defender Gavin Gunning has a free header from a Barry Douglas corner blocked just before the line by Iain Vigurs.

Just over 10 minutes left at Tannadice. Ross County have nothing to lose now - they need to push men forward to try to salvage a point.

And here's your last chance to watch Mackay-Steven's moment of magic during last week's match against Killie.

A Sam Morrow half-volley is comfortably taken by Radoslaw Cierzniak; the Northern Irishman may well think he could have done better.

There are around 5,000 watching United v County.

We have a change for Inverness as Aaron Doran makes way for Philip Roberts. Will there be a late winner?

Owain Tudur Jones pings a shot at goal from 18 yards but it is deflected over by a Hearts defender.

So, we're at 1-1 in the only SPL match and in the Scottish Communities Cup semi-final. Seconds left.

We're into the first period of extra-time in Leith.

I'll do a round-up of the SFL scores asap.

The First Division is slowly becoming a two-horse race as Dunfermline lose ground. I'm delighted for the leaders Morton. I was at Cappielow during the week to interview manager Allan Moore - he is desperate for his players to focus on one match at a time to keep the pressure on second-place Partick Thistle.

Arvydas Novikovas races into the box with the goal at his mercy but Inverness full-back David Raven does brilliantly to get in ahead of the Lithuanian winger. However, the ball falls to the Hearts man and he dinks a shot a fraction wide of the post.

To complete the round-up of SFL scores, Rangers' 1-1 draw with Montrose was the only match in the Third Division.

We have two minutes of the first period of extra-time left at Easter Road.

BBC Scotland reporter Andy Burke: "Many people thought this match would be too close to call and so it has proved. Nothing to choose between the sides. Hearts a man short but with their vocal support they are doing their best to make up for that."

OK, we're now into the second period of extra time.

Defender Danny Wilson looks an elegant player when he comes forward. He thuds a low cross into the Inverness box and Inverness just manager to clear. Seconds later, Marius Zaliukas has a header cleared off the line. The 10 men have the upper hand here!

Michael Ngoo waltzes through the Inverness defence and almost sets up a Hearts goal but Antonio Reguero races off his line to collect the ball. This is a belter of a cup tie.

The tackles are flying in now. Both teams are showing tremendous commitment to reach the final.

Billy McKay crosses for Philip Roberts but the Inverness sub cannot leap high enough to nod the ball beyond Jamie MacDonald.

BBC Scotland reporter Andy Burke: "So, to penalty kicks, but both these sides will feel confident having already won via spot kicks in this season's competition. Caley edged past Stenhousemuir in round 3, whilst Hearts knocked out Dundee United on penalties in the last round."

Hearts skipper will take the first spot kick. Here goes Marius Zaliukas...

Hearts 1-0 ICT (Zaliukas)

Hearts 1-1 ICT (G Shinnie)

Hearts 2-1 ICT (Ngoo)

Hearts 2-2 ICT (A Shinnie)

Hearts 3-2 ICT (Webster)

Hearts 3-3 ICT (McKay)

Hearts 4-3 ICT (Novikovas)

Hearts 4-4 ICT (Jones)

Eight penalties converted out of eight!

Hearts 5-4 ICT (Taouil)

Roberts must score!

But he misses! Hearts win the shoot-out 5-4!

Poor Philip Roberts! He will be feeling awful. He blasted his penalty high over the bar and 10-man Hearts reach the final!

The Hearts fans are ecstatic as they applaud their players. But that really is tough on Inverness. Billy McKay will need a sick bag on the bus back up the road to Inverness after that horror miss in extra-time. Big Michael Ngoo throws his jersey into the Hearts fans.

BBC Scotland reporter Andy Burke: "As always with the 12 yard decider, there has to be a villain, and on this occasion it was Philip Roberts. Unnerved by the nine successful spot kicks that had gone before, he blasted his penalty high into the despairing Caley Thistle fans. The Hearts supporters exploded in jubilation, with the Highlanders left to wonder if they will ever have a better chance to claim a major trophy. "

That really was a fantastic cup tie. Congratulations to Hearts for hanging in there, especially after going down to 10 men when Scott Robinson was sent off in the 77th minute.

BBC Scotland reporter Andy Burke at Easter Road: "Very hard on Caley Thistle, and they'll know tonight that a place in the final was in their grasp and they let it slip away. I reckon Billy McKay will have nightmares about that shocking miss. Credit to Hearts and their fans, they refused to give up and they've been rewarded with a trip to Hampden."

Reflecting on his team's 1-1 draw with Ross County, Dundee United manager Peter Houston tells BBC Scotland: "We dominated the majority of the match. The players worked ever so hard again and it's disappointing not to get the three points."

We'll be publishing highlights of Hearts' penalty shoot-out win over Inverness on the BBC Sport website later this evening.

Andy Webster is being interviewed by my Sportscene colleagues just now. Reaching a cup final will ease the pain of the cut on the big Hearts defender's lip.

It's time to call it a day here on the live text. Thanks, as ever, for your company. We'll be back tomorrow to cover St Mirren v Celtic at Hampden when we will find out who will take on Hearts in the Scottish Communities Cup final.