Scott Brown will be dismayed to see Celtic head to Ibrox this weekend without any away fans - and the same repeating itself in future clashes.
It was confirmed last week that all Glasgow derbies in SPFL competition this season will be played with no fans, following the disorder in Govan last season and the disagreement between the clubs over an allocation for Sunday's quarter-final tie.
Brown fears the fixture is losing the passion which is a key ingredient of it.
He said: “I understand why, but it’s disappointing not to see the 8,000 fans that we used to get because the atmosphere was brilliant and there wasn’t that much trouble back when I played.
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“Going away from home you always want fans there because if you do score, you need somewhere to run. Celtic are going to score and they’re going to run in front of Rangers fans.
“It’s losing the passion. Football is the biggest thing in Scotland and it’s the biggest thing in Glasgow.
“I’m not a big one for people running on the pitch and the violence and throwing stuff, that’s not part of the game, but we need to get back to that passion.
“Stay in your seat, enjoy the game, watch the scenario unfold in 90 minutes and sing and support your club and then after that, look, all is forgiven, have the bragging rights with your mates, have a bit of banter. It’s a game of football, it’s not a fighting game.
“It’s brilliant for me as a player going to Ibrox to win the game and to have that passion, that involvement and that emotion of the game with your fans and for them to be part of it as well because that’s what makes football clubs football clubs.”
