09.05.2014 02:30 h

Football: Celtic seek to finish season on a high

Dimitrios Konstantopoulos in actie tijdens Burnley - Middlesbrough. (12-4-2014)
Dimitrios Konstantopoulos in actie tijdens Burnley - Middlesbrough. (12-4-2014)

Celtic manager Neil Lennon says he wants the champions to end the season on a winning note when they take on Scottish Cup finalists Dundee United on Sunday.

The Hoops will be presented with the Scottish Premiership trophy following the match at Celtic Park.

The Parkhead club have waited a long time to get their hands on the trophy after clinching the league back in March with seven games remaining and manager Lennon is looking forward to a party.

"I'm really looking forward to Sunday now, when we're presented with the league trophy," the Celtic manager said.

"The lads haven't had the opportunity to celebrate the title win so to get the trophy at home will be a special day and I want them to finish the season on a high."

Celtic's 3-3 draw with St Johnstone on Wednesday means the Glasgow giants won't be able to break the 100-point barrier this season.

However, Lennon said he couldn't be too critical of his players, who have only lost one match in an almost unblemished campaign.

"I wasn't happy with our defending for the final two goals, I thought we were lazy," Lennon said of the draw with St Johnstone, who are also through to the Scottish Cup final.

"But I can't be too critical of my players. Since we won the league we've won three and drawn three, so they've kept their momentum going.

"It was an opportunity to rotate the squad and that's what we've done.

"We've had a look at some players and we've learned something again.

"I'm not really disappointed we can't make 100 points. You set yourself little targets and it would have been a nice milestone.

"We should have done it because we were 3-1 up with 10 minutes to go but we're on 99 goals and it would be nice to finish the season off with 100."

Elsewhere on Sunday, Aberdeen and Motherwell clash at Pittodrie in the battle for second place.

Aberdeen hold a one-point advantage over Motherwell and Derek McInnes's side will be desperate to end the season on a high to go with the Scottish League Cup they claimed in March.

In the other top-six match Inverness Caledonian Thistle host St Johnstone.

On Saturday, Hibernian need a win over Kilmarnock if they are to leapfrog their rivals and avoid finishing the season in the dreaded relegation play-off spot.

Terry Butcher's side have won just once in their past 17 matches and are in real danger of joining city rivals Hearts in being relegated to the Championship.

However, the Hibs boss insists he is looking forward to the showdown at Easter Road.

"We have to pick ourselves up and we will. I'm still very, very optimistic we will be fine," said the former England defender.

"We know we have to win the game, and we will go all out and do what we possibly can to make sure we get the three points.

"I'm looking forward to it and thinking about the side, and what we will do."

Hearts, who would actually be 10th if it hadn't been for their 15-point deduction for entering administration, finish the season away to St Mirren while Partick Thistle take on Ross County at Firhill.

Fixtures (kick-offs 1115 GMT)