The short answer is we should be. The actual answer is somewhat different – we have a long history of blowing glorious chances and opportunities scarcely come much better than this. We're a better team than St Johnstone since the league table says so. In three games against them this season we've won two convincingly and lost the other to a very, very soft penalty – the only goal we've conceded to the Saints this term.
Hampden 2005
They have had trouble in dealing with pace on the flanks provided by Murphy and, in particular, Humphrey and it can be expected that the wide open spaces at Hampden will suit our wide play. Murphy and Sutton have been in good form recently and with Jeffers also hoping for a comeback there should be no shortage of attacking options. Jennings is back and fully rested after his latest league ban and will surely come into the midfield though several players have been playing with knocks lately so the squad situation is not entirely positive. Saunders will be a doubt having hurt his hamstring at Tynecastle.
It is also worth noting, though not obsessing with, yellow cards. No one will be excused from picking up a booking if required but Randolph, Hutchison, Gunning, Hateley and Humphrey are all walking a suspension tightrope.
St Johnstone have a handful of players in a similar position and will be without McDonald who is suspended and, perhaps crucially, Morris who is injured. A few others are also struggling with knocks but Murray Davidson and young Stevie May have the potential to pose us problems.
Against Dundee United we stormed out of the gates and romped to a tremendous victory. A repeat here would be too wonderful to imagine but despite a more nervous occasion we can hopefully sneak through to the final with a 2-0 win.
