Skipper Stephen McManus is still a major doubt ahead of tonight's trip to Ayrshire as he struggles with the hamstring injury which saw him replaced at half-time during Saturday's 4-2 win over Hibernian. Strikers Georgis Samaras and Vennegoor of Hesselink and midfielder Marc Crosas are already ruled out and it could be weeks before any of them see first team action.

"We're still waiting on Stephen to see what he is like," said Strachan "Once we find out how he is we'll pick a team. Those two, Hesselink and Samaras, are nowhere near it. I would imagine they are out of the Manchester United game. Only Samaras could get near it but we're not going to push him just for that. Crosas will have to wait as well because he won't be anywhere near it either. We're a bit unfortunate in that respect but we just have to continue."

Samaras has recently undergone knee surgery in Dublin whilst Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is still suffering from the abductor muscle problem which saw him replaced in the first minute of the game against Hamilton Accies three weeks ago. Marc Crosas also had to be replaced against Inverness last week when, like his skipper, he too suffered a hamstring injury.

Celtic's domestic form has been impressive since their defeat at home to the huns back in August. They've recovered from that loss by winning every SPL game since and regaining their place at the top of the table. Strachan is hoping that success continues tonight with a win over Kilmarnock

"It'd be nice to keep winning because it keeps the momentum going," he said. "If our performance stays the same as it was on Saturday then it'll be pleasing. We are stretched just now but if you want to play at a top club you need to play a lot of games and you just need to deal with it. We can't complain too much. Even if we get to the Final we'll only play four games so we can't moan about that."

Strachan also spoke about the rule which which says that two players under the age of 21 must be included in an 18-man squad and he says it's not good for the game or for the young players themselves and he named Paul Caddis and Darren O'Dea as two of his talented kids to have suffered from the rule.  The rule was designed to encourage more first team experience for youngsters but in practice it usually means time spent sitting on the bench.

At a manager's forum this month all 12 SPL bosses gave it the thumbs down and now the Celtic manager thinks it's time to scrap the ruling, he said "It would be a smashing idea for us to let Paul go on loan to the likes of Gary McAllister at Leeds or to other friends in England but we can't let him go as we have to have under 21s on the bench."

"It was mentioned recently by all the coaches and we mention it every year. We'd all like to scrap the Under 21 rule because if you need them or they are good enough then you can still play them. We have guys who could be out learning their trade, but can't. You think back to the likes of David Beckham who learned going out from Manchester United to Preston.