WHO realistically is going to stop Celtic? Nobody, is the answer to that.

They will be odds-on to beat Hearts on May 25, the date of all dates, to make history and win a third treble in the Scottish Cup final.

And ten in a row, let's be honest, is probably on.

This season hasn’t gone smoothly, far from it, and yet once against the next best teams in Scotland haven’t been able to take advantage.

Next season won’t be any different. Indeed, if Neil Lennon (surely the manager now) keeps who he wants can add to the squad – he’ll have decent money to play with – this is a group that will get better.

It’s not great news for the rest.

DOMINIC BALL DESERVED TO BE SENT OFF EVEN IF HE DIDN’T MEAN TO HURT RYAN CHRISTIE

This was the biggest talking point and it changed the match. Referee Craig Thomson, who had an excellent match, was correct in what was a big decision.

The Aberdeen defender was on a booking and no player in that situation should give the referee any sort of opportunity to show a second yellow card.

You could argue his second offensive was a straight red,

Let’s give Ball the benefit of the doubt and concede that he went for the high ball and it wasn’t in his thoughts to connect with the head of Christie – which I happy to believe - but he was late with his challenge, turned his head away from the Celtic player and was never going to win the challenge.

At best it was clumsy but that shouldn’t take away from the fact it was reckless and incredibly dangerous. That means that Ball deserves no sympathy.

Ball did look concerned for his former team-mate but it was a 70/30 ball in Christie’s favour, he got a header away and then was thumped by the Aberdeen man who was not in control of himself.

And the Aberdeen supporters who booed Christie as he was taken off the field, seemingly out cold and on a stretched, need a right, good look at themselves.

WHAT CELTIC ARE DOING IS TRULY REMARKABLE

Yes, they have far more money than anyone else. Yes, they can spend £9m on one player, but that shouldn’t take away from what this group of players are giving to their supporters.

And younger fans would do well to realise these are fantastic times. Too many find something to moan about whenever there is an average domestic performance or after a bad night in Europe.

Eight in a row could be completed next weekend and then Hearts, an inferior team, standing in the way of a triple Treble.

Celtic’s domestic cup record in the last three seasons reads: Played 26. Won 26. Clean sheets 21. Goals for 81. Goals against 7.

The second most expensive player in the team, after record signing Odsonne Edouard, is Scott Brown who joined Celtic in 2007. The rest are bargains, frees and academy graduates.

They also lost their manager, the most influential and successful at Celtic Park since Martin O’Neill, two months ago.

And they keep going and going and going.

JAMES FORREST IS A MODERN CELTIC LEGEND

How many big goals is that in the big games from this wonderful footballer?

Forrest’s strike on his weaker foot was exquisite and typical of the best Celtic player since Neil Lennon returned to the club.

The winger was actually getting a bit frustrated in the before his goal. He keep wandering in-field, looking for the ball which wasn’t coming his way on the right side of the pitch.

All he needed was a yard or so some 25 yards from goal to put Celtic in the lead and at the same time a third Scottish Cup final in as many years.

When the story of this era is written, Forrest will be looked upon as a legend of these years and rightly so.

The lad from Prestwick just gets on with his football, playing for the club he loves.

And Kristofer Ajer deserves a mention as well. The Norwegian, still only 20, was superb here as he has been since the winter break. He takes the ball from defence to attack like a pretty Roy Aitken.

ABERDEEN ARE NOT THE SAME TEAM WITHOUT GRAEME SHINNIE

The captain is leaving and will be badly missed. He certainly was in this game.

It would be ridiculous to suggest the result would have been different but Shinnie would have been right on Scott Brown who rather enjoyed his Sunday stroll on Glasgow’s Southside.

Shinnie may even have been to bring calmness to his team who did lose their shape as the semi-final went away from them.

Derek McInnes’s men were in the game before the Ball red card.

They will be back, Lewis Ferguson will learn from his red card – bit this was a hard day for the Dandies.

THERE WERE A LOT OF YOUNG SCOTTISH LADS ON THE PITCH

Aberdeen had Scott McKenna, Lewis Ferguson, Dean Campbell and Connor McLennan, while Celtic boasted Scott Bain, Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor, Forrest and poor Christie.

All Scottish, all in their twenties, all with their peak years ahead of them.

Okay, not all had their best day; however, for those of us who can see the biggest picture, it’s good to see some of our own playing in the biggest games.