ARE Celtic fans in danger of becoming architects of their own monument to unhappiness?

Given the murmurings of discontent which are building within their ranks, and which reached new heights at Hampden, many certainly appear hell-bent on seeking out perceived negatives to cover up any tangible positives.

Today, these same supporters awoke to find the sun rising on their team being 90 minutes away from their fifth SPL title in seven years and already in their fifth Scottish Cup Final in the same period.

Yet, the dark clouds hanging over many of them would have you believe they follow the half of the Old Firm which is about to end a second successive season without a trophy.

As a man who always liked to call a spade a shovel was prone to say, these people need a reality check.

No-one is suggesting all in the Celtic garden is rosy.

Saturday's performance in the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone was typical of many less-than-sparkling displays delivered by Gordon Strachan's men in recent weeks.

However, the bottom line is that they won 2-1, and are the only side who can currently boast they will be playing in the season's finale on May 26.

By then, it will not just be a Scottish Cup success they are chasing against either Hibs or Dunfermline, it will the second half of a double as the SPL title will have been successfully defended, the finishing line possibly being crossed on Sunday at Kilmarnock.

As it is, Strachan is on course to deliver his fourth prize in his first two years in charge, equalling the record of Martin O'Neill.

Add to that progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in the club's history, and anyone looking in from the outside would wonder why so many supporters seem to prefer to moan than celebrate.

The most noise they made - other than when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink slotted in Celtic's two goals - came when Strachan elected to remove Derek Riordan from the action and send on Kenny Miller.

The fact the manager was in a much better position than any of them to observe Riordan chase back into his own half, cheeks fully puffed out, and show signs of losing his touch and ability to deliver accurate passes was irrelevant to the people in the stands who are promoting the Deek Must Play' campaign.

Heaven only knows how hot the phones lines would have been had Strachan's tactics and changes not seen Celtic safely past a combative and well organised St Johnstone side.

But, thanks to Vennegoor's double, they held off the challenge from Owen Coyle's men, who have caused more than a few upsets in the cups this season and have scalps including that of Rangers already on their totem pole.

The Dutchman won the penalty for the opening goal after 12 minutes, capitalising on a poor header back to goal from Kevin James, and going down under the challenge from keeper Kevin Cuthbert.

There was no debate who would take the spot-kick.

Vennegoor was the last Celtic player to score a penalty - against St Mirren in January - and he was just as effective this time, his effort going in off the base of the right-hand post.

It should have been the platform from which Celtic took total control. But Saints did not get to the semi-final of both cups without having a bit of fight, and Martin Hardie got them back into it seven minutes later when his lob over Artur Boruc could only be headed into the roof of the net by Stephen McManus.

It required every bit as much determination from Vennegoor to provide the winner six minutes after the break, the giant striker losing his marker to meet a Shunsuke Nakamura corner at the near post and head home from five yards.

St Johnstone refused to give up, but Celtic refused to yield, and, as has become their trademark this season, emerged victorious by the slimmest of margins.

That might not be good enough for some. But when all is said and done, it's all that really matters. OneByOne

BORUC Was pretty safe- handed for most of the match but a couple of poor kick-outs.

NAYLOR Threw himself into tackles as usual and keen to get forward. One excellent tackle on Jason Scotland as the striker was set to shoot from close in.

PRESSLEY Hoping for another Scottish Cup medal this summer but troubled by pace of MacDonald and Scotland.

McMANUS Back into the team after being suspended for league duty and headed into his own net, although there was little chance of keeping the shot out. Cleared Scotland shot off the line late on.

CALDWELL Willing worker but is not comfortable at right back and it shows.

McGEADY Came close in the first half when he jinked past a couple of players and unleashed a shot at goal but final ball wasn't there at times.

LENNON Tired a little as the game wore on but his usual industrious self.

HARTLEY Came close to getting first goal for the club but from his attempt Celtic won the corner from which they regained lead.

NAKAMURA Difficult to remember him doing anything special.

RIORDAN Has become something of a cause celebre among Hoops fans who made feelings known when subbed for Miller.

VENNEGOOR OF HESSELINK Won and then converted dubious penalty but good finish at the near post for his second.

SUBS Miller replaced Riordan but found it hard to get into the tempo of the game. Gravesen, on for Naka, did make a bit of a difference with direct running. O'Dea came on for Naylor in last minutes after defender took a knock.

FANS Too many empty seats at Hampden for there to be any decent atmosphere and St Johnstone fans outsang the home support for most of the day.

STRACHAN Said beforehand he hadn't seen a good game for weeks and this wouldn't have changed his mind. Need to know

Was it a good game? With the outcome in the balance right until the end, it was exciting with no lack of goal attempts.

Who was Celtic's best player? With two goals, Vennegoor was the man who mattered.

And who was Saints' star man? Martin Hardie was a thorn in Celtic's flesh all game and took his goal superbly.

What about the ref? Charlie Richmond had to make one big decision, and will never convince Saints keeper Cuthbert he got it right when he gave the penalty.

Who's up next? Celtic travel to Kilmarnock on Sunday looking to wrap up the SPL title. Talking point

Should Derek Riordan have been given more than 65 minutes?