Celtic and Rangers were criticised for the entertainment value of last month's goalless Clydesdale Bank Premier League encounter, which followed a tight festive meeting decided by a solitary Scott McDonald goal.

With the title race again so close this season, the losers of the Hampden clash will find themselves under added pressure to avoid a season without a trophy.

Celtic would arguably face greater pressure given Saturday's Homecoming Scottish Cup defeat at St Mirren, a day before Rangers cruised into the semi-finals with a 5-1 win over Hamilton.

But, despite the pressures from the demanding supporters, Strachan is keen for good football to come out on top.

"Rangers and ourselves have a responsibility to try to entertain," the Celtic boss said.

"We have the resources, more than anybody else, to have the privilege of trying to entertain.

"I think all football mangers try that. There are certain times when you can't because the resources you come up against are too much.

"Us and Rangers have the responsibility of trying to play football the right way but also the responsibility to our fans to win trophies.

"If you listen to their songs, they celebrate wins. I don't hear too much in their songs about beautiful football, 'It's lovely playing beautiful football and never mind if we get beat'. It's not like that.

"Most of our songs are about winning and I think the opposition are the same."

The former Aberdeen and Manchester United player added: "There is a fear in itself that someone is going to win and someone going to lose.

"The two teams at the moment want to win it but probably fear getting beaten more. But the opportunity is there to play.

"We have all been to finals when you think it's going to be a walkover and it's an excellent game.

"So I really can't tell you how it's going to go. The players on the day usually determine who is going to win it.

"If the two sets of players go for it, it's going to be an excellent game.

"I think we have a decent style of play and they have a decent style.

"So we're hoping good players will decide the competition and some good goals, to make it exciting, something to talk about."

Strachan has guided Celtic to success in both domestic cup competitions, each time against Dunfermline.

But neither he nor Walter Smith have led their teams in an Old Firm final.

Celtic last beat Rangers in a final in 1989, since when the Ibrox club have won four Hampden final derbies.

Strachan admits there is a "special excitement" about this occasion, and he was surprised when the long-serving members of his coaching staff, Danny McGrain, Willie McStay and Neil Lennon, informed him about the scarcity of recent meetings.

"I was speaking to Danny, Willie and Lenny this morning and they were telling me it's only the fourth Old Firm cup final in 20 years," Strachan said.

"I find that unbelievable, probably not with my record in cups mind you.

"But if you ask anyone in England, they think it's a Celtic-Rangers cup final every year. You look through them and there are quite a few shocks in the final as well."

Meanwhile, Strachan dismissed Barry Robson's chances of making the game.

Robson has not resumed training since suffering a groin injury early last month and will remain on the sidelines along with Shaun Maloney, Lee Naylor, Paddy McCourt and Koki Mizuno.

However, Mark Wilson has returned to training after more than two months out with a pelvic problem and is in the frame for the final.