CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan admits Marc Crosas has made a very strong case for retaining his place at the heart of the side at Kilmarnock tonight.

In fact, the Hoops boss reckons the 21-year-old Spaniard can muscle in on a regular starting slot for the first time in his career.

And with 22-year-old Darren O'Dea finally facing a run in the side as cover for the injured Lee Naylor, the injection of youthful exuberance might be just what the champions need heading into what promises to be the most taxing month of the campaign.

Scott Brown has been the driving force for the past few games, and the 23-year-old struck up a terrific partnership with Crosas in the weekend win over St Mirren.

But, while Brown has been one of the first names down on Strachan's team-sheet all season, Crosas is only now proving he is over his hamstring injuries and ready to grab a regular spot.

Strachan said of the slightly-built former Barcelona Bhoy who blasted home a powerful 30-yard goal to open his scoring account on Saturday: "Marc came into the team and did very well, then was out for a few months, then he came back in and got injured again.

"He's had three or four games on the trot and that has been his lot.

"But when he is fit, he's there or thereabouts, and that is how highly we think of him.

"But he is still getting used to playing every week when, at Barcelona, he wasn't near getting a game, which is understandable when you look at their team.

"He is getting physically stronger. We liked him as soon as we saw him, but he has improved."

The progress Crosas has made in his first season, despite its stop-start nature, has delighted Strachan and the rest of the management team who know they have got a real bargain for the £450,000 price tag, even if it does eventually rise to £1.6million.

"Marc is always in the right position to receive the ball," said Strachan. "He looks forward first before sideways or backwards, so that is good.

"Everything about him I like."

With Barcelona holding first option to buy back the youngster, the fear is he could become too hot to hold onto.

But Strachan leaves the worrying to others. He just wants to enjoy helping the youngster develop, and encourages others to savour the sight, too.

He said: "I don't know the bigger picture, I just enjoy having him here. And it should excite our supporters to have him here."

Certainly, if Crosas can continue to hit goals like the one he screamed home against St Mirren, the fans will be singing his praises.

But Strachan reckons it was not even his best of the week, let alone his career.

The manager explained: "He scored one in the reserves that was even better because he had to get up and over the shot to take it high up.

"We haven't had many strikes from outside the box this season, which was surprising."

Strachan will be forced to make changes to his side tonight as Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is suspended and Naylor has not recovered from the calf injury which forced him off at the weekend.

The decision to cancel O'Dea's loan move south has proved wise and the Republic of Ireland defender will again slot in at left-back, though Strachan concedes it is not his favourite or best position.

"Darren is a better centre-back, but we've been doing bits and bobs with him and there is no fear in playing him," said the manager.

"He doesn't have the knowledge of left-back that Lee Naylor has yet. But he will be a good player."