But the Scottish League Cup showdown could also turn out to be his last.

Hendry is refusing to answer questions on whether he is poised to become the new manager of Blackburn - the club he left to join Rangers just three months ago.

As soon as his name was first mentioned in connection with the post made vacant by Roy Hodgson's departure, Hendry stoked the speculation by hinting management was an ambition and now might be the right time.

But in the build-up to the Parkhead clash he has become distinctly tight-lipped.

"I have nothing to say about Blackburn," he offered. "The Cup final is more important."

"There might be no European place, but to me it is about winning a trophy, one which should give us a platform for the rest of the season.

"I sincerely hope it won't be my last Cup final for Rangers. It is about being successful and in years to come I hope I can turn around to my grandchildren and say I won a League Cup final medal with Rangers.

Saints fans have not had much to celebrate over the years

"As time goes on that is what it is about, you are judged about what you have achieved in the game as players, you can be spoken about as being successful but need something to show for it."

Rangers manager Dick Advocaat will start with Frenchman Stephane Guivarc'h and Rod Wallace up front after losing Jonatan Johansson through injury and dropping Gabriel Amato.

St Johnstone face a massive task if they are to win the first major trophy in an unglamorous 114-year history.

Just three weeks ago Saints were hammered 7-0 by Rangers and a performance anything like as bad in the final would be thoroughly humiliating for the Perth side.

But striker Nathan Lowndes insisted the St Johnstone players will not be dwelling on that Scottish League thrashing.

"The Rangers result was a fluke," he said.

"We looked at the tape after the game and we played quite well in patches. A few home truths came out of the meeting as we analysed the match in depth and that was probably a good thing.

"We got any disappointment out of our system right away by beating Celtic and that gave everyone a huge lift.

"Every player believes we can get a result against Rangers. We are not just going to Celtic Park for a day out. We know we have to be positive and confident."