He reckons both sets of fans — and players — thrive on the heat of the battle.
The 63-year-old, who runs Head To Head sports psychology in Glasgow, said:
“Every sport needs its rivalries.
“Where would tennis be without the Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal showdowns?
“Or boxing without Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali?
“And it would be unimaginable if there was no El Classico between Real Madrid
and Barcelona. So without each other the Old Firm fans will be feeling cold
and empty. It will be like a death in the family.” Tom added: “I know many
Celtic fans have been enjoying the demise of Rangers.
“That’s completely natural as anyone would like to see their rivals put to the
sword.
“But what they are missing will only truly sink in the first time Celtic play
Club 12 — which should be the first Old Firm game of the season.
“With no disrespect to Dunfermline or Dundee or whoever else gets to take
Rangers’ place, it simply won’t match the passion and excitement of an Old
Firm clash.”
Tom believes that both teams also need the showdowns to improve. He said: “In
any sport, you must have competition to stretch yourself. Rangers and Celtic
players will always up their game for games against each other.
“But if you are playing weaker opposition, whether it’s Rangers in the lower
divisions or Celtic sitting 20 points clear at the top of the SPL, what
motivation do the players have to improve?
“There will be no need to sprint that extra 30 yards to get the ball because
you know you’re going to get it back shortly anyway.
“That’s all right when you’re cruising to victories in Scotland, but it will
be a different story for Celtic playing in Europe.”
He reckons the absence of the brutal showdowns, which can be up to seven times
a season with league and cup games, will leave fans with psychological
scars.
Tom — who has worked with top-flight clubs in England and Scotland — added:
“Many Rangers fans will simply find something else to do.
“I have friends who have been going all their lives and now say they’ll not
bother.
“And how much interest will Celtic fans have in their team if the league is
wrapped up by September and they’re out of Europe by Christmas?
“Both sides desperately need each other. Without that fierce competition
they will wither on the vine.”
CULT Celtic blogger Paul Brennan admits the new season will be “boring”
without Rangers.
The 45-year-old, from Motherwell, who writes the Celtic Quick News blog,
reckons most Parkhead supporters will miss the showdowns.
He said: “It’s not just the game, but the build up. It’s looking at who’s on
form.
“Sure it’s terrible if you lose, but it’s amazing when you win. Without them
the season will be far less enjoyable — fans might get bored.
“But Celtic will just have to find new challenges in Europe.”
RANGERS Supporters Trust spokesman Mark Dingwall insists the lack of Old Firm
matches will have a life-changing affect.
The Glasgow-born Ibrox die-hard says the whole of Scotland will miss the
games.
He explained: “They are the climaxes of the season and fans set up their whole
yearly calendar around them.
“Whatever is happening in your private life or at work disappears on an Old
Firm weekend. People even book their holidays around them.
“All football fans will miss the Old Firm games.”