Derek McInnes has heaped praise on his battling side who fought their way into the Premier Sports Cup quarter final.
Kilmarnock defeated red-hot Hearts at Tynecastle to book a spot in the last eight, a result which leaves them just 90 minutes from Hampden.
Innes Cameron's first half header was enough to seal a fantastic victory for the Ayrshire side as they made it two wins on the bounce.
Beaming boss McInnes said: "I was pleased with a lot of aspects of it, we haven't had a clean sheet for a number of weeks.
"We spoke about the importance of having a strong start, you don't want to let the home crowd get behind the team, equally getting the early goal was so important.
"If you can get in front then it can add to the game and add pressure on the home team, and it can give us the confidence to go and get the result.
"For me Hearts one of the bets front lines in the league, we had to content with Alan Forrest, Barrie McKay, Lawrence Shankland as well as others, they threw everything at us.
"To get a clean sheet against that level of opposition demonstrates how much we had to do right."
He continued: "I thought we had so much energy, so much discipline. Hearts make the pitch big and ask questions.
"We tried to negate their changes in style a few times, it was a game of cat and mouse at times."
Rory McKenzie went close in the ninth minute as he cut inside with an eye on goal, but his effort was well parried away by Craig Gordon.
The Killie fans erupted in the 20th minute when striker Cameron looped a header right over the head of Gordon to send the Ayrshire side into the lead.
Sam Walker came to Killie’s rescue in the 39th minute when Lawrence Shankland got on the end of an Andy Halliday cross, but the Killie goalkeeper saved well.
Killie had Ryan Alebiosu to thank 10 minutes into the second half, when Barrie McKay was bearing down on goal the Arsenal loanee put in a vital challenge to stop him getting the shot away.
Ash Taylor almost doubled the visitors’ lead in the 68th minute as he fired a header towards goal, but it was cleared off the line from the Jambos defence.
Alex Cochrane forced a scrambling save from Walker in the 84th minute before Taylor blocked a Peter Haring shot two minutes later.
Killie held on well to ensure they bagged a spot in the last eight.
McInnes admits Cameron's goal will do him the world of good as he fights for a spot in the starting XI.
The Rugby Park boss said on BBC Sportsound: "I've had every club in the Championship ask about him, we've spoken to him and feel he has a role to play here.
"He's done well in the last couple of games coming off the bench and he's got a real determination about him.
"That goal will do him the world of good, we can't give him more belief he's got to find that himself.
"He is a handful, he competes well and physically he's in brilliant nick.
"He loves the club, he wants to do so well here, but goals are what centre forwards are judged on, it was a brilliant header and I am really pleased from him."
A home clash against Dundee United separates Killie and a semi-final spot which would book their first trip to Hampden in over 10 years.
McInnes said: "We are 90 minutes from Hampden, that's the beauty of the cup competitions.
"Kilmarnock haven't done anything in cup competitions the last wee while, but we have lifted this trophy before.
"Other clubs of a similar size have got to Hampden time and time again, it's important that we try and put ourselves forward to that.
"The draw is kind to us because it's a home tie, it's all you can ask for.
"We had a tough match against them earlier in the season, but it gives us the chance to get to Hampden, although they'll be seeing it the same."
Full quarter-final draw...
Aberdeen v Partick Thistle
Kilmarnock v Dundee United
Motherwell v Celtic
Rangers v Dundee
Ties to be played week beginning Monday, October 17
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