Celtic hat-trick hero Kris Commons claims he was so desperate to bag the match ball against Kilmarnock that he was trying his luck from all angles.

The former Scotland playmaker shot down Killie with three goals at Rugby Park to hand the Hoops a 3-0 win which edges them closer to a third successive Scottish Premiership title.

He found the net twice inside the space of 90 seconds as the home side switched off after a promising first hour in Ayrshire.

But with time running out, the 30-year-old admits he was shooting from unlikely positions as he chased his treble.

Commons eventually wrapped up his hat-trick with four minutes left as he sent a low strike past Killie keeper Craig Samson.

The former Derby and Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder - who had netted just one goal in his previous five matches before running out in Ayrshire - said: "I was just in the right areas at the right time. There were a few people queuing up for a goal but it was myself who got there.

"And then once you get two goals you start shooting from anywhere and all angles. I was desperate to get three.

"For me to get a hat-trick and get back into scoring form was good.

"I expect to get chances. I'm getting in good positions frequently but that is not just down to myself. The team are putting in a lot of good work as well to make the space."

Celtic boss Neil Lennon claimed the club's top scorer with 26 goals has filled the gap left by Gary Hooper's exit to Norwich and Commons thanked his manager for the compliment.

"Gary was not only a goalscorer but an outstanding player," said Commons. "It will take a lot to fill his boots but it's a nice compliment.

"It's always nice when people do come in and start scoring goals. I'm sure Leigh Griffiths will start banging them in and that will take some of the pressure off myself."

The Rugby Park win means the runaway league leaders need just seven more points to clinch their latest title and the Hoops support are already penciling in the clash with Ross County at Parkhead on March 29 for a title bash.

Commons said: "We want to wrap the league up as soon as possible. We are not going to take our foot off the gas and we showed that against Kilmarnock.

"We want to keep improving. We gave the young lad Liam Henderson his chance against Killie and for a 17-year-old, he was outstanding.

"To put in that performance with the work-rate and calm head was a great debut and hopefully he can kick-on now and start playing a bigger role for us."