THEY started the St Patrick Day celebrations early at Celtic Park last night.

They hoped they could begin the title celebrations at the same time.

Had they managed to defeat St Johnstone to go nine points clear of nearest challengers Aberdeen, they would have had a case for doing precisely that.

The bookies would have got their publicity machine cranked up to declare they are ready to pay out on the title race.

However, the 1-0 defeat has halted Celtic's momentum - built up after eight consecutive league wins - and breathed fresh hope into the Dons.

Sure, the Hoops are still strong, strong favourites to cross the line first.

But the procession towards their fourth coronation in a row may not be quite as unhindered as results since they last tripped up - losing to Dundee United on December 21, then drawing with Ross County the following week - would have everyone believe.

Not if teams show a willingness to ask questions of them the way St Johnstone did.

Too many sides go into games against Ronny Deila's Bhoys frightened to commit to attack for fear of being picked off when the ball is turned over and Celtic counter-attack at pace.

Tommy Wright's players waited until they were 2-0 at McDiarmid Park last month before they had a go, bursting the Hoops clean sheet record with a late goal from Michael O'Halloran.

Last night, they started with a minimum of two men in offensive positions, and added to that number at every given opportunity.

They got their reward when Danny Swanson sent a screamer of a shot from all of 30 yards into the postage stamp corner of Craig Gordon's goal after a corner had been headed out by Virgil van Dijk.

It left Celtic stunned - but with more than third of the match to hit back.

However, as much as they huffed and puffed, they could not blow Alan Mannus's iron curtain down.

Saints showed ambition, though, initially, not the belief to convert this into anything tangible - like a goal.

Celtic certainly afforded them the invitation to cause a shock, their first-half performance as poor as it had been when they faced Aberdeen at the weekend.

On Sunday, they roared back to win 4-0. But there was never any chance of a repeat against Saints because there was little improvement after the break.

At times, the fans wondered if the players had been suckered in by the news that Celtic were about to change kit manufacturer, so often did they struggle to find a team-mate in green and white hoops.

The passing was inaccurate, the decision-making haphazard, the finishing weak.

Sure, to keep them out, Mannus in the Saints goal had to make saves from Gary Mackay-Steven, Anthony Stokes, Stuart Armstrong and Efe Ambrose.

But at no point in doing so was he required to more than competent.

The Green Machine simply failed to move into anything resembling a high gear, and the frustration and exasperation - from the technical area, at least - was clear.

A shout for a penalty after Virgil van Dijk's drive struck Steven Anderson's arm as he charged out following a first-half corner St Johnstone struggled to clear appeared to have merit.

But referee Calum Murray was not convinced.

Unconvincing would also be an apt description of Celtic's defending.

Across their back line they looked disjointed. Perhaps the absence of Nir Bitton in the holding midfield position upset their stability.

His replacement, Stefan Johansen, certainly showed more desire to get into attacking positions than the Israeli international, which left Scott Brown overrun as he attempted to halt Saint's forward raids.

That they could not make any of these forays count was down to the wrong pass, or a poor finish more than good defending.

Bitton did enter the fray on the hour, along with James Forrest, as Deila tried to inject some energy into his lethargic Bhoys, who were without the injured John Guidetti, Kris Commons and Emilio Izaguirre.

They were the last throw of his dice, Wakaso Mubarak having come on at the break for Adam Matthews, the Ghanaian slotting in at left-back while Ambrose moved across to the right.

It's a result which will be warmly welcomed in Tenerife, where the Dons are soaking up the sun.

In any postcard sent back, boss Derek McInnes will re-iterate his belief stated after his sides's weekend mauling that this fight is far from over.

Given even more hope will be Dundee United manager, Jackie McNamara - who took in last night's game.

His side face the daunting prospect of lining up against Celtic in three competitions over three weekends, starting on Sunday with their Scottish Cup quarter final tie at Tannadice.

Will he have the courage of Saints' conviction and adopt an attacking system?

United's recent run of form would make it a bold move, indeed.

Of course, prior to last night, United were the last Scottish side to lower Celtic's colours.

Since that day in December, however, they have sold two of the key men in that victory, Armstrong and Mackay-Steven, to their rivals.

Unfortunately for Celtic, neither man will be available for Sunday or for the League Cup final the following weekend as they are cup tied.

Their enforced absence leaves Deila with even more decisions to make.

With the Treble his target, he knows his side can't afford another misfiring 90 minutes like the one they endured last night.

Not of their fans are to be treated to a Ronny Roar.