SCOTTISH LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION:PADDY McCOURT knows there is little else he can do to persuade Celtic boss Neil Lennon to give him a starting slot but keep delivering the sort of moments of magic he produced against Hearts on Saturday.

A freak neck injury picked up when celebrating his winning goal at Inverness in the first league game of the season meant the winger has returned to the bench in recent weeks.

But, with Celtic leading through goals by James Forrest and Shaun Maloney, the substitute wrapped up a 3-0 victory in the dying seconds with a wonderful goal, dinking the ball over Marian Kello after a trademark solo run.

The mercurial Irishman recognises that, with Celtic top of the SPL with four wins out of four and no goals conceded, he faces a battle for a starting slot. “Coming on and scoring goals won’t do me any harm,” the former Derry City winger said.

“The competition in the wide areas and up front is really strong and it is driving everyone on.

“There are probably four or five strikers who think they should be playing every week and maybe three or four wingers as well.

“I’m sure when the manager sits down on a Friday or Saturday to pick the team he has a few headaches but that is better than struggling to pick 11 players.

“I started the first game but picked up an injury and James and Shaun have started the last few games. But I think it would be a bit stupid to knock on the door when we have won every game and haven’t conceded a goal yet.”

The Northern Ireland international is well aware the Hoops fans expect to see some brilliance when he takes to the field.

“The expectancy is something I thrive on,” he said. “I always get a buzz when I hear the reception when I come on.

“I know people are there to see me entertain and that is the strongest part of my game so if I can keep producing goals and chances for the team then hopefully that will be good enough.”

Lennon was as pleased with the clean sheet as with the chances his side created and converted in what was his 12th SPL victory in succession. The Irishman admitted there were aspects of the performance he was not happy about, one of which must have been the performance of skipper Scott Brown.

Lennon, though, claimed he had substituted Brown on the hour mark because the midfielder was struggling after his exertions for Scotland against Lithuania and Liechtenstein. “Scott was just a wee bit sloppy in possession at times and he was probably feeling the effects of two games in a week,” the former Celtic captain said.

Rangers manager Walter Smith hailed the efforts of Allan McGregor against Hamilton as the goalkeeper prepares for what could be one of his busiest nights of the season against Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow night. McGregor was on fine form with a number of excellent saves as the Scottish champions ran out 2-1 winners thanks to a last-minute winner from Kenny Miller.

The win allowed Rangers to keep the pressure on Celtic and also provided the required confidence boost ahead of the Champions League clash.