In terms of "major draw" crowds (ie 6000ish plus), at the TCS there have usually been three per season between Rangers and Celtic. This season that dropped to two from Celtic only, but with two more due to Highland derbies, this makes a total of four. On the other hand many of these have been at times other than 3pm on a Saturday, which tends to cause a fall away. A 6000 crowd compared with, say, the 3500 which it may replace gives 2400 extra which, across 19 home games, ups the average by about 125.
Then there is the additional issue of Ross County joining ICT in the SPL. There are possibly two additional factors here. Firstly, I have heard it said that a number of away fans are choosing one trip to the Highlands and since Ross County in their first season in the league, several are going there to see what Victoria Park is like. Similarly there is, I believe, a floating support about the inner Moray Firth which has historically tended to patronise both grounds. Again with County in the SPL for the first time, the balance of these may well have drifted towards Dingwall this season. To what extent either or both of these factors swing back towards the TCS as County ATTEMPT to establish themselves as a regular SPL presence remains to be seen.
Anecdotally it also SEEMS that there have been more non-Saturday 3pm KOs this season, which will also depress the numbers, but I haven't checked this out.
I think we are dealing wirh a very complex range of factors here.
Just a wee edit Charlie