Do we stay or do we go?
Scotland and Queen’s Park super fan Keith McAllister believes Hampden Park is worthy of hosting domestic and international football matches for years to come.
The SFA are set to hold talks on the stadium’s future in the coming weeks with the lease due to expire in 2020 and there’s a real chance Scottish’s football’s home could be condemned to history.
McAllister has seen over 1,000 games at the national stadium.
And he shared his views the same week ex-Motherwell, Celtic and Scotland star Tom Boyd said the famous ground was no longer fit for purpose when it comes to the supporters.
McAllister, originally from Cambuslang, once lived four streets away from the national stadium in King’s Park, and is clear on his affection for Hampden that he feels comes in for unfair criticism.
He said:“I’ve only missed two Queen’s Park games there since the late 60s and two Scotland games since 1972.
“It has become fashionable to knock the ground without looking at the facts. A lot of the criticism is a go at the SFA for the way fans perceive the game to be run.
“Hampden is the target for ticket, food and drink prices as fans feel they are being ripped off. That is going to happen no matter where Scotland play.”
McAllister reckons the SFA also risk incurring the wrath of large sections of the Tartan Army if they move away to the likes of Celtic Park, Ibrox or Murrayfield.
He said:“The make-up of Scotland fans has changed. Rangers supporters were the largest majority but they seem to have fallen out of love with the national side.
“Fans of other clubs have become far more prominent. They could view any income going to Celtic or Rangers as strengthening their teams.
“Likewise, fans don’t want their money to go towards making Scottish rugby stronger at football’s expense.
“If Scotland have another poor qualifying campaign the SFA’s income will be affected by paying rent and having their most loyal fans in two minds about going to games.”