Coventry City manager Gordon Strachan has heaped praise on striker Robbie Keane after the £6 million man tormented lowly Watford.

The 19-year-old’s 17^th minute strike was his sixth for the club in ten Premiership games, but it was his all round game that has most impressed the City boss.

Strachan described Keane’s precocious talent as "among the best in Europe" and is convinced that the player would be a hit in any team in the world.

However, Keane is keeping his feet firmly on the ground and admits he is just grateful to Coventry for giving his a Premiership stage to showcase his talents.

He said:

"It is flattering to have Gordon say that but I am just happy to be in the Premiership.

"I have always believed in my own ability. I know that people said could I do it at a higher level but by the time I came here I had played for the Republic nine times against the likes of Argentina and I had done the business.

"I am always striving to be a better player and I believe that Gordon Strachan can help me achieve that aim."

Coventry’s next home match will see Keane pit his wits against City’s Midlands rivals Aston Villa which will have added spice considering that the teenager almost signed for the Birmingham side.

Villa boss John Gregory made a £5.75 million offer for Keane but would not pay the extra £250,000 that Wolves were demanding. The match will also see the first return of Dion Dublin and George Boateng to Highfield Road.

Yesterday’s game against Watford was also an important one for veteran goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic – despite the fact that he never got onto the field of play.

The 42-year-old was back in the first-team squad for the first time in eight months after recovering from an operation to fuse a disc in his neck.