If Motherwell fail to beat Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday, the Hoops can win the title at the home of their greatest rivals for the first time since 1967.

That is the scenario the authorities have dreaded since the 1999 Old Firm "shame game" when there was trouble on and off the pitch when Rangers won 3-0 at Celtic Park to clinch the championship.

The Celtic boss though, who hopes winger James Forrest (ankle) and Gary Hooper (dead leg) recover for the trip to Govan, moved to take some heat out of what could potentially be an incendiary situation.

"If we win the title on Sunday we will enjoy the moment but we we won't be there to gloat," he said.

"The last thing we want to do is rub it in people's faces. We will be respectful of everyone at the stadium.

"It doesn't matter when it (title win) comes or where it comes it will celebrated regardless, there will be a lot of euphoria, a lot of joy and a lot of pride.

"But we will be there to celebrate among ourselves then we look forward to a home game against St Johnstone were we can relax and enjoy what we have achieved.

"We are talking hypothetically here, it will depend on how Motherwell get on against Kilmarnock and if things go our way on Sunday.

"I don't like talking about winning games and winning titles because there is still a lot of football to be played before we can actually achieve that.

"The only preparation we are making is to get the boys ready to win a game of football and if that means winning the title after that then so be it."

The Irishman was critical of this week's media coverage of the infamous 1999 game, best remembered for the mayhem and chaos which enveloped the east end of Glasgow.

A lasting image is of referee Hugh Dallas requiring treatment for a cut to the forehead after being hit by a missile from the Celtic section of the ground while one Hoops fan was thwarted in his attempt to attack the official.

In a mad May evening, Celtic's Stephane Mahe and Vidar Riseth were sent off along with Rod Wallace of Rangers and after celebrating their title win with their supporters and performing a Celtic-style huddle, the visiting players were pelted with missiles going up the tunnel.

The former Celtic skipper, who revealed that Strathclyde Police have spoken to both clubs this week with a view to pre-empting any such problems, said: "I was playing at Leicester at the time and it (Old Firm game) was a bit raucous, there were things that happened that day that should not have happened.

"But I don't think the coverage that the 1999 game has got this week is going to help preparations.

"I do (think the coverage is a worry). I think it is totally irrelevant to what is going to happen on Sunday.

"We are just going there to win a football game and if we do then great, if we don't then we will move on to the next game."

Lennon played down the police visit, saying: "We had the police up on Wednesday, we had a chat with the head of the police organisation about the game on Sunday but not with regards post-match celebrations.

"I think they visited both clubs and it was basically a reminder and as they said, they have been delighted with the way both sets of players have handed the games this season and I don't see Sunday being any different.

"I think he just wants to make sure that the game goes as well as it possibly can go which I totally understand."

The Parkhead manager confirmed the Scottish Football Association's Compliance Officer, Vincent Lunny, has written to him asking for an explanation for his post-match comments following last week's Scottish Communities League Cup final defeat by Kilmarnock at Hampden.

Lennon described as "criminal" referee Willie Collum's decision not to award the Hoops a penalty in the closing moments when Hoops striker Anthony Stokes went down inside the box under a challenge from Killie defender Michael Nelson.

The former Northern Ireland midfielder was unrepentant, saying he "absolutely" stood by his comments.

"I am looking forward to giving him my response, I've got until the

30th of March to do that," he said.

"I will submit my response next week. I don't think I need to (explain) but obviously they do and I will state my case."