GORDON STRACHAN yesterday acknowledged Agustin Delgado's growing cult status at St Mary's.

The Saints boss said everyone at the club was delighted to see him score his first goal in the game against Liverpool on Wednesday.

"The club enjoyed Agustin Delgado's goal," he said.

"He got a great reception when he came on at St Mary's and has become a legend without even playing.

"He had been a tourist for a while and the players hadn't seen much of him, but now he is fitting in well.

"There have been all sorts of horror stories and he has been in the headlines.

"But people have used him for their own purpose and I sometimes feel angry for him because he doesn't have the ability to respond."

Strachan said that Delgado now seemed happy in Southampton.

"When we speak to him and get him on his own, he is happy," he said.

"We need to bring him on gently and he understands that, but he is doing well."

As a player, the Ecuadorian's quality is undoubted with an international strike-rate of 22 goals in 49 goals.

Strachan added: "I saw him have five training sessions and he is the sort of person that can play.

"If the ball is in the box when he is around, something happens.

"He looks slender but he is strong, he is a cross between Beattie, running everywhere, and John Hartson who lets the ball come to him."

Strachan confirmed that he had not rested Fabrice Fernandes, Anders Svensson and Brett Ormerod on Wednesday, but that there had been a bug affecting some of the players.

Of today's clash with Blackburn, he said: "We are looking forward to the game.

"Graeme Souness has bought wisely and has good players."

* Brett Ormerod will be presented with The Daily Echo player of the month award for October prior to today's clash against Blackburn.

The striker beat James Beattie and Fabrice Fernandes to the honour after scoring six goals during a month which saw Saints win four consecutive games.