Cillian Sheridan today got down to the business of earning his new three-year contract.

But the Irish teenage striker - who hit the headlines with his substitute appearance at Inverness on Sunday - knows the hard work begins now.

He has had a taste of the first team after just seven months as a professional, and just two days after celebrating his 18th birthday.

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His reward is a deal which will give him security until 2010 Sheridan is determined to stay on this high, but is smart enough to realise only hard graft will allow him to reach this goal.

He said: "It's given me confidence that the coaches have faith in me and that I'm part of their plans for the future.

"I believe I've been given this new deal because of the progress I've made in the last month. But I'm really surprised how quickly things have happened for me.

"When I came over to the club last summer, I was half hoping to get a starting place in the under-19 team."

However, even that would have been beyond his wildest dreams just over a year ago, when he was studying for his school leaving certificate and Celtic invited him over for trials.

Sheridan explained: "I was a Gaelic football man. My family is more Gaelic than soccer, so I played that and played soccer just messing about.

"I still like to play Gaelic football when I go home, if I get the chance."

Celtic will soon put him straight on that one. But Sheridan knows it is a sacrifice worth making, especially if there are more days like Sunday.

He recalled modestly: "I didn't really have much to do when I came on, and my first touch put the ball out for a throw-in.

"So it didn't start brilliantly for me. But I'd say my last touch was my best one."

That set up Kenny MIller's winner, and Sheridan admits it has given him an appetite for more.

He said: "It felt brilliant, so I am going to keep working hard and hopefully I'll get the chance to make another impact."