Cillian Sheridan has no intention of making way for Celtic's regular strikers when they return from injury. The 19-year-old from Co Cavan grabbed a brace in last night's 3-0 home win over Kilmarnock, which stretched his side's lead over rivals Rangers at the top of the SPL to four points.

Sheridan's progress since arriving in Glasgow two years ago has been hampered by injury, with manager Gordon Strachan claiming he was two years behind others of the same age in terms of his football development.

However, due to recent injuries to first-choice attackers Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras and back-up striker Chris Killen, Sheridan was fast-tracked in to the team and has begun to forge a partnership with last season's top scorer, Scott McDonald.

Samaras's appearance as a second-half substitute against Killie provided the first hint of a threat to Sheridan's place but the lanky striker is adamant he will not be slipping out of the scene and back to the reserves.

"In the last month, I've had to believe that I am a Celtic player and take it all on in," Sheridan said. "I had to take my chance and the last two or three weeks have been brilliant.

"It's unfortunate for the players that are out at the moment but it's been fortunate for me. I am glad that I have the chance and hopefully I will take it. Georgios is back training and he came on against Kilmarnock and it's down to the manager but hopefully I will stay in the team.

"Since I came to the club, I have been scoring a lot of goals. I'm pleased that I've scored goals since coming in to the first team because there is always the pressure on a striker.

"The manager has told me that he doesn't want me to be seen as a 19-year-old and that I'm a man the same as everyone else. Hopefully I am showing that. I feel fit and match-sharp. I've had to work mainly on my strength and holding off players.

"I'm a tall striker, it's important that I hold the ball up and take the pressure off the rest of the team."

Sheridan expressed his gratitude to McDonald for helping him adapt to the rigours of first-team football.

He said: "That's the last four or five games Scott and I have started in attack, we are learning about each other. I am getting used to the way he plays and he is getting used to the way I play.

"He has been brilliant, talking me through what I have to do in training."