New Bhoy Sheridan still on high after facing down ‘world’s best defenders’

CELTIC’S rookie striker Cillian Sheridan insists he was inspired rather than frightened when told he was up against the two best defenders in the world on Wednesday.

After appearing as a substitute in the Champions League Group E defeat at Old Trafford last month, the 19-year-old Irishman was handed his first European start in the return clash against Manchester United, where he faced Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

The tall striker put in a sterling effort in the 1-1 draw, until he was replaced by Massimo Donati just after the hour. Sheridan, who is likely to keep his place against Motherwell at Celtic Park today while Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Georgios Samaras and Chris Killen remain on the injured list along with Aiden McGeady, Glenn Loovens and Marc Crosas, is still buoyed by his tussle with United’s centre-halves.

“Before the game one of the lads said I was playing against the two best defenders in the world and said to me, ‘You have nothing to lose, only good can come from it,” Sheridan said. “If you do well then it will look even better because of how good the two of them are.

“That’s what you want, you want to play against the best in the world. It has been a bit of a step up, everything is at the top level. I didn’t think I would be playing this much but you just have to take your chances when they come.”