The first task at Lennoxtown today is to appeal for volunteers ready to assume penalty kick duties.

Leigh Griffiths missed a penalty during the 2-1 win over Motherwell on Saturday - the third successive spot-kick has missed this season.

And Hoops coach John Kennedy has revealed that Celtic will appoint a new designated penalty kick taker this morning - and the set-piece will be practised this week.

“At the start of the season we have a list in order of penalty takers and it was Leigh and Kris Commons who were first and second,” said Kennedy. “So we will have a look at this week and see how one or two others feel about putting their hands up.,

“But certainly, give the importance of this week, we will be looking to practice our penalties. Obviously you can never re-create the pressure of an actual game when there is so much at stake but we can certainly have a go at being prepared for that.

“First thing today we will be putting the question to the players. It is small details that win you games and we don’t want to be in a position where we are looking at a missed penalty and thinking that it cost us the game.”

Meanwhile, Kennedy has insisted that Lennoxtown will be a fortress from the intensity of the build-up to this Sunday’s William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers.

The Hoops warmed up for that one with a 2-1 win at Fir Park on Saturday afternoon, a result that puts them eight points clear as they close in on a fifth successive title.

Kennedy, a veteran of clashes against Rangers, though will seek to maintain a calmness about the Parkhead squad before they face up to Mark Warburton’s side.

“I have been involved in so many of these games over the years and if you allow yourself to get sucked into the circus of the build-up then you are mentally shattered before a ball is kicked,” said the Celtic coach.

“Everything that surrounds this game is hectic. We will protect the players from all of that this week.

“I think it is important not to be over-thinking and over-analyse things. The last thing you want to be doing is thinking about that game non-stop. You have to approach it in the right way, prepare properly but me mentally as well as physically ready.

“If we perform the way we can then this is a game that will take care of itself.”

While all eyes now are towards Sunday’s Cup game, Kennedy has insisted that winning the title this season will be as sweet as any other success.

There has been plenty of flak put in Celtic’s direction for the manner in which they have failed to nail a consistent level of performance and the fact they are not already out of sight in the league has been a source of criticism.

“Listen, this is position where there is pressure all the time – and that is not just for us but for the players too.

“When we finally get over that line and hopefully win the title, of course we will enjoy it. Why shouldn’t we go and celebrate it? This is what it is all about. It has been a long season, we have worked hard and we want to enjoy what comes at the end of that.

“We would like to think that we are capable of a league and Scottish Cup double so now it is all about getting ourselves right for Sunday.”