Concerned Brian Laudrup reckons Rangers players will struggle to topple Celtic when they face off at Parkhead going forward with Glasgow rivals locking out away fans.
Both clubs have voiced concerns about the safety of supporters in the limited numbers situation with around 800 currently allowed into either stadium - and it has now been reduced to zero for the remainder of the season with fixtures lined up at both Celtic Park and Ibrox. Before the crucial Scottish Cup showdown at Hampden, James Tavernier will lead Rangers out in Glasgow's east end on April 8 - and the Dane reckons it will be a major blow to lose the "12th man" in the away stand.
While accepting that no supporter safety should be risked, he felt that it was a "terrible" blow for Scottish football's showpiece fixture. Writing for The Daily Mail, Laudrup said: "The decision not to allow away fans at the remaining two Old Firm league matches is a real shame. I understand if there are safety issues. You don't want people to get hurt.
"But, when I was at Rangers, these games were so intense, so hyped and world famous because the atmosphere was absolutely sensational. It's terrible that there will be no away fans allowed.
"These games are televised all over the world and it's a fantastic advert for Scottish football. That changes with no away fans. The atmosphere will be different, and it will also be tougher for teams playing away from home.
"When we went to Celtic Park, we knew it would be a tough fight but we had our supporters there and that made a huge difference. Away teams will no longer have their 12th man.
"The Old Firm is just an incredible derby. I remember being stunned when I played in the AC Milan v Inter derby in Serie A. We were on the bus going to the San Siro and we saw Inter Milan fans with flags and AC Milan fans with flags.
"Then I noticed that some cars had an Inter Milan flag hanging out of the left side and an AC Milan flag hanging out of the right side. I was confused, so I asked one of my Italian team-mates and he told me it was normal in Italy to have AC Milan fans and Inter fans in the same family and they drive together to the game.
"When I joined Rangers, I realised that was certainly not the case in Scotland! The Milan derby was huge in Italian football but it was nowhere near the atmosphere and intensity of a Rangers v Celtic game, that's for sure."
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