SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE Celtic 3 KIlmarnock 0:A CILLIAN Sheridan double helped Celtic to a convincing victory over Kilmarnock last night at Parkhead as the Hoops stretched their lead at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League to four points over Rangers.
The 19-year-old Irish striker worked a neat one-two with Scott McDonald in the 18th minute before slotting past Kilmarnock goalkeeper Alan Combe for his third goal of the season.
Celtic dominated thereafter and in the 75th minute Sheridan was on hand to knock the ball in to the roof of the net after Combe had spilled a long-range shot from Massimo Donati.
Hoops midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, returning from a knee injury, grabbed number three with six minutes remaining to give a true reflection of the home side's superiority.
Gordon Strachan's side did not really have to go through the gears against their Ayrshire opponents, who are still looking for their first win at Parkhead since 1955.
Sheridan fashioned the lead with a goal that belied his 19 years.
The gangly Irishman worked a fine one-two with McDonald and galloped through the heart of the Killie defence after taking the return before sliding the ball past Combe from inside the box.
Seconds later, Nakamura's free-kick from 25 yards had Combe scrambling low to his left to gather before Shaun Maloney had an attempt from a similar range, which went yards wide.
Celtic failed to add to their tally until the 75th minute when Combe spilled Donati's long-range drive allowing Sheridan to scoop the ball in to the roof of the net. Nakamura notched the third in the 84th minute when he took a Scott Brown pass before firing home.
Meanwhile Rangers slipped four points behind Celtic after a frustrating draw at Fir Park. Motherwell goalkeeper Graeme Smith made several important saves to keep the dominant visitors at bay.
CELTIC:Mark Brown, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Donati, Maloney (Mizuno 83), Sheridan (Caddis 90), McDonald (Samaras 76). Subs not used: Fox, Robson, O'Dea, Hartley.
KILMARNOCK:Combe, Fowler, Wright, Corrigan, Skelton, Simmonds (Cox 70), Bryson (Flannigan 75), Pascali, Clancy, Gibson, Taouil (Russell 58). Subs not used: Harpur, Hay, Murray, Sammon. Booked: Skelton, Pascali. Att: 55,347
Referee:M Tumilty (Scotland).
