Source: Team_Talk
Thomson: Old Firm still miles better
Rangers midfielder Thomson reckons the Glasgow giants could even end the season 25 points clear of the rest of the Scottish Premier League, a gap two points greater than they achieved last term.[LNB]United and Hibs have kept within touching distance of the Old Firm so far this season, with just six points separating the top four in the table.[LNB]Their form - coupled with some unconvincing performances from Rangers and Celtic - have led some to suggest one of them could separate the traditional top two or even win the title.[LNB]But Thomson believes the busy festive period may well see the Old Firm begin to pull away, a gap he can only see growing before the end of the campaign.[LNB]"I'm not going to sit here and say, come the end of the season, Rangers and Celtic will be 20, 25 points clear of the rest," said the Scotland star ahead of Tuesday's trip to Tannadice.[LNB]"But I'd be pretty surprised if they're not."[LNB]The former Hibernian midfielder added: "I don't think many people will be betting on any team breaking the Old Firm this year.[LNB]"I've been in a situation, being at Hibs, when we've had good seasons and the hype goes on, 'The Old Firm are in crisis, blah, blah, blah'.[LNB]"I'll be very surprised if, come the end of the season, there's not 15, 20 points between the Old Firm and whichever team's third."[LNB]Thomson acknowledges the chasing pack have become stronger this season, a challenge he is relishing.[LNB]"We enjoy the challenge of all these teams trying to come to beat us and make it tough for us.[LNB]"And if they want to say that they're going to beat the Old Firm then so be it.[LNB]"We know if we win our game tomorrow night, we're top of the league, which is a huge incentive for us and the rest of the pack will be chasing us."[LNB]Thomson suggested the problem for the likes of United and Hibs was an inability to reproduce the performances they put in against the Old Firm when they take on lesser teams.[LNB]"When you go to these teams playing for the Old Firm, it's like a cup final for them," he said.[LNB]"When two teams play and the Old Firm's not involved, I think the standard drops."[LNB]He added: "People give the Old Firm players flak, 'They're not good, they're not this, they're not that'.[LNB]"But if we go to the top of the league tomorrow night then what does it say about the rest?"[LNB]Thomson's prediction of a 15-25 point gap puts him at odds with manager Walter Smith, who said: "That's a hell of a number of points.[LNB]"The challenge to both Hibs and Dundee United - who have been the teams closest to Rangers and Celtic so far this season - has been to keep that going.[LNB]"You've got to say that both teams are doing that; they're doing exceptionally well this season.[LNB]"They're both on excellent runs and this season we might find it being a fair bit closer than it has been in previous years.[LNB]"As long as Rangers are at the top of that list of teams then we'll be happy."[LNB][LNB]
