Young Bhoy Sherdian stakes his claim

Celtic 4 Hibs 2

Published:

STRIKE TWO: Youngster Cillian Sheridan shows his delight after making it 2-0 for Celtic.

CELTIC striker Cillian Sheridan targeted a place against Manchester United in their Champions League rematch after scoring on his starting debut in the 4-2 win over Hibernian at Parkhead.

The 19-year-old Irishman made his sixth substitute appearance for the Hoops at Old Trafford, coming on for Scott McDonald when the Scottish champions were in the final throes of their 3-0 beating.

Returning to Premier League duty against the Easter Road side, Parkhead manager Gordon Strachan was duty bound to his usual 4-4-2 formation.

With target men Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Georgios Samaras and Chris Killen all still out with injury, Sheridan partnered McDonald and notched his first goal for the club after Stephen McManus had given the home side the lead.

The lanky striker controlled a McManus pass and rounded Hibs keeper Yves Ma-Kalambay before slotting into an empty net.

The visitors pulled back level through Colin Nish and Steven Fletcher before goals from Celtic substitute Glenn Loovens and Scott Brown helped eradicate some of the depression which followed the Old Trafford defeat.

Strachan, happy to see his side remain top of the SPL, claimed that Sheridan had been too inexperienced to start against the Champions League holders.

However, with no apparent respite any time soon on the injury front, he may be tempted to give the quietly-spoken Irishman his head when United travel up to Celtic Park on Wednesday week.

Sheridan replied: “Hopefully I can get more chances.

“Coming on against Manchester United last week and playing against the likes of Vidic gave me a lot of confidence for the Hibs game.

“It is easier starting games because you get your second wind.

“I’ve had a few injuries in the last year or so and it was my first 90 minutes in four months so that was another good thing as well.

“I’ve had to work very hard on my fitness and it’s beginning to show.”