Stadium decision in summer

SFA to rule on Hampden

The Scottish Football Association has decided either Hampden Park or Murrayfield will host Scotland football internationals and big cup games.

Their current lease deal with Hampden’s owners, Queen’s Park FC, runs out in 2020 and the governing body’s board met on January 30, to discuss the options for the future.

The Reformer reported in December how manu businesses felt the SFA leaving Hampden would be a “devastating blow” to Rutherglen and areas such as Toryglen and King’s Park.

A big part of revenue for pubs in the area is the Scotland internationals and many were against the move away from the 115-year-old stadium.

Former SFA chief executive Stewart Regan claimed staying would be very expensive.

However, Queen’s Park, who agreed a 20-year lease with the SFA in 2000, hotly disputed the figures.

A statement from the SFA said: “As well as submissions from those venues involved in the process – Queen’s Park, Scottish Rugby, Celtic and Rangers – the board also received supplementary information drawn from a spectrum of other key stakeholders, including the Scottish FA membership.

“Having considered all submissions and supporting documentation, the board has decided at this time to further develop two positive options: remaining at Hampden Park beyond 2020 and moving to BT Murrayfield.”

With the deal with Queen’s set to expire, Rangers and Celtic each made the case for their grounds to host glamour games, as did Scottish Rugby, whose BT Murrayfield home is the largest stadium in Scotland with a capacity of 67,000. Hampden currently holds 52,000.

But SFA bosses rejected a bid from Celtic and Rangers to host international fixtures and major cup matches.

And Queen’s last week said they welcomed the decision to further explore remaining at Hampden Park.

In his presidents blog, the Spiders’ Alan Hutchison, said: “It is fair to say that the local community and city of Glasgow will also welcome this decision given the revenue generated from stadium activities to these parties.

“Further, the footballing family would remain together housed in one building along with the Scottish Football Museum and the Sports Medicine Centre.

“It is fair to say that the stadium will require investment over the next 20 years and Queen’s Park have committed to work to engage with potential funders.”

Glasgow Life’s director of sport and events, Billy Garrett also wants the SFA to stay put. He said: “Hampden is the home of Scottish football. Murrayfield is the home of Scottish rugby.

“Keeping Scottish football’s biggest matches in Glasgow is clearly the right decision for the game and for the fans.”

Hampden is the home of Scottish football