HAMPDEN’S TIME IS UP SAYS NAISMITH

SCOTLAND i nternational Steven Naismith believes Hampden’s time should be up.

Naismith is in favour of moving Scotland games around the country instead of renewing the lease to use the national stadium.

The Scottish Football Association has been i n discussions with Queen’s Park over the terms of the lease, which ends in 2020, with an outcome expected before the end of this year. Talks have also been held about the use of BT Murrayfield for major football games.

And Naismith feels the SFA is right to seek cost savings which could be redirected into producing future internationals.

“There have been a few games where I thought the atmosphere was incredible,” said the Norwich forward, who has 45 caps.

“But if everything was right they should move and use the facilities we have.

“If it worked financially you could use that money in a better system to create great players, then I think that would be better.

“We have some great stadiums we could use. You need the people who are in control of these stadiums to have Scottish football in the back of their mind rather than just their own agenda, and that’s pretty tough in football in general.

“But if everything was right you could create a good system where you are using Pittodrie, the two Edinburgh clubs, Celtic, Rangers, even Kilmarnock if it’s back on grass.”