GIANT Dutchman Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has just been handed the biggest possible accolade by Gordon Strachan.

The Parkhead boss reckons he is as important to Celtic as Thierry Henry is to Arsenal or Didier Drogba to Chelsea.

Without Vennegoor, the SPL leaders are devoid of a focal point - and the performances during his enforced lay-off with a hamstring injury have reflected this.

Strachan pushed for Celtic to splash out £3.6m for Vennegoor just as the summer transfer window was about to slam shut.

Unfortunately, two ankle injuries and, most recently, a training ground hamstring strain have limited the striker's contribution.

But, after his latest eight games on the sidelines, Vennegoor made his comeback as a second-half sub against Kilmarnock on Tuesday.

And, in Strachan's eyes, he was the perfect first foot - or, in Vennegoor's case, six foot plus.

The manager said: "Our game changes completely when Jan is in the team.

"On Tuesday, until he came on, we were predictable in a lot of the things we did. That changes when he is up front.

"When I was speaking to Arsene Wenger a few months ago, he said that every team will have a physical striker, whether it's someone blindingly fast like Thierry Henry, or whether it's a Didier Drogba or a Peter Crouch, people who can bring players in.

"Whatever system you use around that is entirely up to yourself, whether it is two wide men or someone up beside him.

"But while Jan has been out we have not had that. So we have had to pass, pass, pass and it gets predictable.

"We have been working on things like getting the full-backs to play diagonal balls into the second striker.

"But there is no doubt we are delighted to see Jan back in the side. He is a big, big player for us - in every sense."

Even without the big man, Celtic have continued to forge clear in the title race and now stand 17 points ahead of the chasing pack.

But the performances have not been as impressive as the lead they enjoy, and the lack of finishing power has been a particular concern to the boss. Vennegoor's strike rate - five in 12 - has been decent rather than prolific. But it is his impact on the side in general which convinces Strachan things will improve with his return.

The hope is the shooting boots of Maciej Zurawski and Kenny Miller will be re-energised as they vie to partner the big man.

Strachan admits the mental side of the game can be every bit as challenging as the physical aspects, which is why he's been working so hard on the confidence of his players.

He could be forgiven for easing up as they charge towards retaining their SPL crown. But that is simply not his style.

Strachan confirmed: "People say, you are 17 points clear. But that's not the point. It's not what I do. I'm a coach and I have to make people better, one way or another.

"And, at the moment, I have to work with the minds of some players rather than the physical side of their game."

Zurawski is a case in point, the Pole a shadow of the man who shared top scorer billing with John Hartson last season.

Every resource has been utilised to help Zurawski regain his magic in front of goal, even to the extent of showing him videos of previous games right up until 90 minutes before kick-off to try and get him into a positive frame of mind.

His energy and willingness to work for the team will always endear him to Strachan, who confirmed: "He's a worker, no-one can deny that."

But the manager also admits strikers are judged on the goals they score.

Finding the net would help release the tension in Zurawski's game. It would also do wonders for Miller, whose 10-week drought has seen him relegated back to the subs' bench.

The challenge has been thrown out to both strikers to show they deserve to partner Vennegoor.

Strachan said: "Neither of them is on fire. I have to make my decision on what I see on the pitch and in training.

"I know it's not easy for them in terms of goalscoring and going through a bad period, but it's not easy for me either."

Craig Beattie threw his hat into the ring on Tuesday after a 15-month absence from the starting line-up in the league.

His unorthodox style does unsettle defenders, but his lack of match fitness is reflected in his lack of first touch, and frustration was more evident than any goal threat. Strachan is happy to have Beattie as another option and just wishes the same choice was available at the back.

Steven Pressley's arrival did allow Stephen McManus to sit out the win against Killie, but Strachan explained this was not a luxury.

"Mick wasn't rested - he just couldn't play with his groin," he said. "The bench was as good as we have had for a while, but we're still short defensively and I certainly wouldn't like to see another injury at full-back."

It's a precarious situation Strachan hopes to relieve in the transfer window, but quality will remain the prerequisite.

"We're not going to bring in every Tom, Dick or Harry," said Strachan. "The targets are all there and if they become available, then fine."