IF Scottish football really is done then why have there been so many good, entertaining and competitive games this season?

Perhaps it's time we should collectively all lift our chins from our chests and start talking positively about the game in this country which, while not perfect, is going through some encouraging times.

This Betfred League Cup semi-final, for example, had so much going for it. There were chances for both teams, a lot of good football was played and until the last moment the result remained in doubt.

Too many walk amongst us who only see the negative and would try to convince you, and themselves, that this meeting between Aberdeen and Morton was nothing more than standard Scottish fare, which is barely secret code for rotten. That would be utter tosh.

The small crowd which was forced to Hampden, a more intimate venue would have been far preferable, was treated to two sets of players giving everything they have for the cause.

There isn’t enough money around, too many daft decisions keep getting made by men who look good in a suit but have no clue about, you know, football, but there is a lot of be happy about.

One of these things is the fact Aberdeen are a force once again. The team can challenge (with a small c) Celtic, whose resources put them several levels above the rest, are in a second final in two years and play football the right way.

For years it forced down our throats that Rangers had to be back if Armageddon was to be avoided.

Now it is better that they have returned to the Premiership; however, Scottish football is much improved when Aberdeen and Hearts for that matter, who will both argue they are the third biggest club in the country, are not only making up the numbers.

This has been a good season so far and Saturday was a reminder that there are good players earning their trade up here.

Let’s actually start with Morton who thoroughly deserved their standing ovation from their own support.

There has been a lot of talk about 19-year-old Jai Quitongo and rightly so. He may have missed a good chance, but created several more for himself and any kid who attempts an overhead kick in a semi-final at Hampden is okay by me.

Jamie Lindsay was excellent in midfield and at the back former Dundee United man Gavin Gunning, who admits himself that his career has not gone as it should have, was superb here. One pass to Jamie McDonagh, who also showed up well, covered 50 yards from boot to boot.

Jim Duffy knows what he’s doing. His Morton side are young, hungry and have added a lot to an already intriguing Championship.

They lost because Aberdeen are a better side. The Premiership side should have been ahead after 15 minutes when they bombarded Morton’s goal. However, bar a few scares there was really only going to be one winner once Adam Rooney escaped the defence and the linesman’s flag to score.

There is quality running through the Aberdeen team these days and McInnes has options on the bench. They are perhaps two players away from really taking on Celtic – not that such a goal is impossible this season – and the hope is McInnes stays in the North East and keep this team together.

Niall McGinn and Jonny Hayes are great to watch, James Maddison has great skill, and on Saturday it was skipper Graeme Shinnie who stood out in the middle of the park.

With players like this around, and a few more games such as this one, this might well turn out to be one of the more enjoyable seasons we’ve had for some time.