OVER 100,000 fervent fans packed into Murrayfield and then Hampden yesterday to watch four of our top sides do battle for a place in the Betfred Cup Final. For a country of just over 5m it was an astonishing number of supporters which just confirms the passion and insatiable appetite we have for football in Scotland.

There aren’t many other countries in the world who can boast that level of support with such a small population. The hype and build-up to the double header was unprecedented but unfortunately they both failed to live up to top billing in terms of standard of play and excitement. But that will matter not a jot to followers of Celtic and Aberdeen.

Firstly, to the Celtic versus Hearts. The Jambos came into this game in confident mood and rightly so after a terrific start to the season. But sadly for them on the big day they offered next to nothing and departed the competition with a whimper. Obviously the early loss of their talisman Steven Naismith was a huge blow but I just didn’t get the feeling at any point in the game that Hearts believed they could win it. Tactically it was clear that Hearts were going to sit in and frustrate Celtic and hope to nick a goal from a set-play. It worked up to a point but they just didn’t look like scoring and once Sinclair stroked away his penalty the game was up. That’s taking nothing away from Celtic who, eventually, with the help of the superb Ryan Christie, broke down Hearts' stubborn resistance.

It really was a red-letter day for the talented Christie who has been something of a bit part since signing for Celtic. Any sub wants to come in and make an impact and his was sensational. Ryan came of age on the biggest of stages by winning the penalty and scoring two great goals. That performance yesterday could kickstart his Celtic career and finally earn him the trust of the Celtic fans and – more importantly – the manager. The triple treble remains on for Celtic and despite the trials and tribulations of this season they are starting to really hit top gear domestically. It will take a good team and performance to lower their colours and that task in the final will be entrusted to Aberdeen.

A late goal by the impressive Lewis Ferguson had the Dons players and their fans in raptures at Hampden. Aberdeen defended terrifically all night and wave after wave of Rangers attack floundered on the twin rocks of Mikey Devlin and Scott McKenna. It was a game that was devoid of any real chances with Rangers missing the errant Alfredo Morelos massively in the forward areas. They huffed and puffed but failed miserably to produce any sort of quality in the final third. Umar Sadiq was the Colombian’s replacement and he will be haunted by his incredible decision to dive in the box when rounding Joe Lewis rather than just tapping the ball into the empty net for an equaliser. At just 21 he is still young and raw with plenty of improvement to come but his Rangers career could be over before it has even started.

It was also a great day for Derek McInnes. Del and his team have been unfairly tagged in certain quarters as bottlers. The Dons have struggled against both Rangers and Celtic in recent times on the big occasion but they produced a performance full of grit and determination to get themselves into yet another final. That tag will be banished once and for all if they can topple Celtic at the last hurdle. For Steven Gerrard and the Rangers fans the bitter taste of defeat will linger for a while. An opportunity to win his first major silverware as Rangers manager disappeared into the Hampden night along with 35,000 of their fans.

Brendan Rodgers and Celtic, despite the rumours of dressing-room unrest and splits in the camp, remain the team to beat. In fact, I think those allegations from outside influences trying to create a rift at the club have created a togetherness and siege mentality at a time when they looked really vulnerable. That could be the fire lit beneath them that drives them on. Rodgers' troops are battle-hardened and conditioned to win games and trophies. That quality can never be underestimated. Hearts were dispatched with the minimum of fuss as again on the big stage Celtic stepped up to the plate and produced. Until that belief is matched against the Hoops then another treble looks a formality.

And another thing...

It was great to see my old gaffer Jim Duffy get off to a winning start at Dumbarton on Saturday. I was astounded that no Premiership team, never mind any Championship side, took "Duff" on as their new manager. But it seems that he was a dinosaur to some and not an experienced manager. Utter non-sense. A few clubs might regret that decision at the end of the season.