Sheridan double boosts Celtic´s title lead

A Cillian Sheridan double and a fantastic goal from Shunsuke Nakamura saw Celtic extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League with a 3-0 win over Kilmarnock on Wednesday.

Killie haven't won at Celtic Park since 1955 and this run never looked in danger of ending in a match which the home side dominated without creating a glut of chances.

Irish youngster Sheridan scored a goal in either half before Nakamura made the points safe with a late curling effort.

With Old Firm rivals Rangers only managing a 0-0 draw away to Motherwell the Parkhead club are four points clear in the race for the championship.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said his players' attitude had pleased him.

“It was not a night that the stadium was buzzing and the players had to work to get the fans onside,” said Strachan.

“We started the game terrifically and moved the ball about well but we wasted too many chances.

“I think we could have been more clinical in front of goal. That was the only disappointing aspect.”

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies thought his injury-ravaged side had done well.

“Celtic had a lot of possession and a lot of the time we helped them because we kept giving away the ball in the first-half,” Jefferies said.

“I don't think Alan Combe (the Kilmarnock goalkeeper) was overly stretched but when the chances came to them they took them.”

Celtic dominated possession and Shaun Maloney was twice presented with chances early on but he couldn't find the net.

Donovan Simmonds should have done better when he was picked out in the box by a Kilmarnock corner in the 14th minute but his header was off-target.

Celtic took the lead in the 18th minute following good link up play between Scott McDonald and Sheridan.

The Australian striker held the ball up with his back to goal and flicked a pass into the path of the advancing Sheridan who broke into the box and rolled the ball low past Combe.

The home fans were screaming for a penalty when Massimo Donati appeared to be pushed in the box after 28 minutes but referee Mike Tumilty waved away his protests.

Kilmarnock came close with their first meaningful forward foray of the half when Moroccan international Mehdi Taouil hit a 20-yard shot just wide of Mark Brown's left-hand post in the 33rd minute.

McDonald should have done better when he collected a long pass played over the top of the Kilmarnock defence but his effort from 10 yards was turned round the post by Combe in the 49th minute.

Minutes later Andreas Hinkel found Nakamura in the box with a clever pass but the Japanese international didn't connect properly with his shot and the ball flew past the post.

Celtic doubled their lead in the 75th minute when Sheridan got his second of the game. Donati fired in a fierce shot from the edge of the box which Combe spilled and Sheridan was there to blast the rebound home high into the roof of the net.

The home side sealed the win in the 85th minute through Nakamura.

Scott Brown found the Japanese star in the box and he curled a fabulous shot into the top right-hand corner of the net.

At Fir Park Motherwell had keeper Graeme Smith to thank for saving a number of chances to keep Rangers at bay in a 0-0 draw.

At Tannadice Dundee United made it ten games without defeat as second-half goals from Darren Dods and Francisco Sandaza gave them a 2-0 win.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Falkirk shared the points at the Tulloch Homes Stadium with goals from Michael Higdon and Adam Rooney in a 1-1 draw.

Christian Nade scored Hearts' only goal of the game as the Jambos won 1-0 against bottom club Hamilton.

In Tuesday night's game late goals from Andrew Consindine and Sone Aluko sealed a 2-0 win for Aberdeen against St Mirren at Pittodrie.