This time last year they were bracing themselves for a battle for survival so heading off to Celtic Park to join in the title party will be a pleasure for Marvin Johnson and his Motherwell team-mates.

In reflecting on the difference a year can make in Scottish football the 25-year-old, who joined the club in February 2015 when they were already in the relegation mire, hints at the possibility that they have relaxed just a bit too much since ensuring their safety by getting into the top six.

However there is a real sense of satisfaction at having made life so much easier for themselves this time around.

“After we lost 2-0 at home to Kilmarnock in February, we thought: ‘Here we go again’ but we dug deep and won six out of our next seven games and we’ve deserved fifth position,” he said.

“We’ve had a couple of bad results since the split but we’d done well to get into the top six.

“You can ease off a little after that when you’re playing someone else who is also secure but you just have to try and keep doing what you’d been doing to get there, but Sunday isn’t just another game.”

Motherwell have already provided evidence this season that they should not be expected to simply lie down at Celtic Park and let their hosts enjoy themselves.

Indeed manager Mark McGhee reckons that their victory on the champions’ home ground in December was an important moment for him in indicating that he had a squad of players that should not be struggling again this season.

For all that Celtic will be expected to put on a show, then, Johnson is excited about the prospect of being involved in what will be a special and very unusual occasion as a title win is celebrated while the management that steered them to it says its farewells.

“I’ve only played at Celtic Park once before and I’d do anything to play there again: it’s a great occasion and a great stadium,” he said.

“I know they’re the ones who’ll be celebrating but the atmosphere will be good for us as well and, for the younger boys, it’ll be a great experience.”

Having attracted rather more attention from opponents this season Johnson also believes he has shown that it is the sort of stage on which he can personally excel.

“This season a lot of people have started to target me but I prefer that because it makes me raise my game,” he reckoned.

“If they’re aware of what I’m going to do then it makes me think harder about my game.

“It makes me play even better and that’s especially true against the bigger teams, like Celtic and Hearts. I love to raise my game against them.”

And while the chance to properly relax will be gratefully received, as one of the established members of the Motherwell squad who know they will be back at Fir Park next season he is already looking forward to it.

“You’re off for a week and there are five weeks to go and you find yourself missing it: you just want to get back training again,” said Johnson.

“Our lads will enjoy their time off but we’ll come back stronger next season. Some are out of contract , which puts them in a different situation, but we’ll be ready for pre-season training, which is harder than anything else we do.”