The champions recovered from a 4-2 loss to Rangers at Parkhead earlier in the season to go on a 12-match winning run in the SPL, which took them back top of the table.

The Parkhead side have dropped points this month with a defeat at Hibernian and a draw at home to Hearts but bounced back with a 3-0 win at Falkirk on Sunday which means they again have the opportunity to go seven points clear of their arch-rivals.

However, Strachan, who added skipper Stephen McManus and midfielders Barry Robson and Paul Hartley to his squad, will not not take any comfort from his side's table-topping position if the Light Blues rack up their second Old Firm win of the season.

"It will mean nothing on Saturday night if we get beaten," he said. "The pain of any defeat isn't helped by looking at the table.

"I've been top of the league before and lost to Falkirk and never felt as bad."

Somewhat contradictory, Strachan, who has won only once in six attempts at Ibrox as Celtic boss, does not put too much stress on the result with regards the title race.

He said: "It has been shown over the years that it has not been huge.

"It is other results, surprise defeats, that have been costly, although to be fair, every game counts.

"But Ibrox is a place where you should enjoy going to play because there is a fantastic atmosphere and, as a footballer, it's fun to go and play in places like that."

Strachan insists August's comprehensive defeat to Rangers had no impact on him or his players.

He said: "I didn't analyse it that much.

"I don't think you need to analyse it that much.

"After the game, the players decided they needed to get back in the race and they have done that during a difficult period with a lot of games.

"We had Champions League games and Co-operative Insurance Cup games in there and we went on a good run, which got us back in the position where we are leading again against a right good Rangers side.

"I'll leave it to other people to decide if we have improved or not.

"We just carry on as a group and see where we end up at the end of the season."

Strachan hinted Koki Mizuno, who scored in his starting debut against Falkirk on Sunday, may have to be content with a place on the bench at Ibrox.

With Robson and Hartley back in contention, the Celtic boss is likely to drop the 23-year-old Japanese midfielder, who thrilled the Hoops' fans in the 3-0 win against the Bairns.

"I don't have a problem bringing in anyone who is in the squad," the Parkhead boss said.

"But no matter how well you think you are prepared for your first Old Firm game, the intensity and everything else that comes with it is a surprise.

"It's nice to have a look at it to begin with, or have 20 minutes of it, but we will see."