Shiels hails in-form Sheridan

30 September 2012 13:56
Kilmarnock boss Kenny Shiels believes Cillian Sheridan's match-winning hat-trick at Hearts on Saturday is only the start of things to come. The Irishman scored all three of his side's goals as Kilmarnock left Tynecastle with three points following a 3-1 win in the Scottish Premier League. The away side weathered an early attacking onslaught from the hosts and would eventually coast to victory. Sheridan opened the scoring on 32 minutes, against the run of play, glancing his header into the far corner of the net following a James Dayton cross. His second came after Hearts were insistent that the striker had been offside when played through by Manuel Pascali. While Hearts stopped, Sheridan played to the whistle, coolly finishing past Jamie McDonald from the right side of the penalty area. He completed his hat-trick with a close range tap-in after Jamie McDonald fumbled Danny Racchi's free-kick and Shiels, while pleased with the start Sheridan has made to life at Rugby Park, feels there is still room for improvement in his game and that the player has signed for the right club in order to realise his potential. "I feel he's gradually getting there," said Shiels. "Confidence is a wonderful thing. There are two types of development: there is physical development and psychological development. "It's all about holistic approaches. You have to look at the individual and identify where he needs development. "I think he's improving as we're going along and he's done really well again today. "We tried to get him last year and then we went for him again in the summer. I met with his agent, and the agent and I agreed that this would be the right club for him at the right time in his career. "I am delighted with how he is developing as a player." The player echoed his manager's sentiments as the two-year contract he signed with the Rugby Park club will lead to some stability in a career that has already seen the 23-year old play for six different clubs. "It's been a great start, but there's a lot of football to go and I'm just hopeful that I can keep it up," he said. "It's massive for me to be signed at Kilmarnock. The last few years I've been left wondering every summer, every transfer window, where I'm going to be playing. It gives me the ability to play with a bit more freedom. "Because I'm tall I'm seen as a target man, but I'd rather run at a defender than fight with him. So the way this team plays suits me in that way." Hearts boss John McGlynn again entrusted his side's attacking edge to youngster Callum Paterson. The 17-year old was lively enough and continued to be involved in the match right to the end, but he also passed up a couple of big chances which arguably cost his side on the day. "We'll need to keep the boy feeling confident, "said McGlynn, "he scored two goals last week and he's got a big future ahead of him. "The fact is he's playing like any striker; he's getting into good positions and getting those chances. "He's been a bit unlucky but he's learning his trade and learning the game. He'll be fine."

Source: team_talk