Hampden will roar again this summer, says First Minister

NICOLA Sturgeon insists she is optimistic that a ‘reasonably good number’ of fans will be able to attend Euro 2020 matches at Hampden this summer.

After a lengthy period of consultation with the Scottish Government, the SFA will today outline their plans and ability to host matches in an official submission to UEFA.

It is hoped the proposals will now rubber-stamp the national stadium as a host venue for this summer’s Euros, with Scotland set to play two group games there.

Hampden is also scheduled to host the group-stage clash between Croatia and the Czech Republic on June 18 before one further match in the last-16 knockout stage.

Concerns were growing that Scotland’s status as one of 12 host nations might be revoked, with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin warning that games may be reallocated to Wembley if Hampden could not guarantee that fans would be able to attend.

But, speaking ahead of today’s UEFA deadline, Scotland’s First Minister has offered the clearest indication yet that Hampden will be open for business — and with fans allowed back inside.

‘We have to put our proposals to UEFA and they have to then assess those, and it will be for them to set out the proposals in due course,’ said Sturgeon. ‘We are aware of the deadline and, while these are not final decisions for us, I am optimistic that we’ll have matches played here in Scotland with a number of spectators.

‘There will be a reasonably good number of spectators in Hampden for them. These are discussions and decisions that need to be made by the appropriate authorities.’

Sturgeon also hinted that some form of vaccination passport may be used in order to house the maximum number of fans as safely as possible.

The number put forward in today’s proposal will be the minimum guarantee, with that figure likely to increase if Covid rates continue to fall.

‘I have said this before and I know I am not alone here, there are many people who will feel it even more strongly than I do — I desperately want to have these games played at Hampden,’ said the First Minister.

‘Not least because we will have the ability to cheer on Scotland in a couple of those matches.

‘It is important for sporting fans but also just the idea that that will be possible come June gives us all a lift and belief that things are getting back to normal.

‘The whole issue of vaccine passport certification, I think we have gone into some of the issues with that earlier on. I think we will see some kind of certification starting to be used, other organisations will ask for it. ‘We have some issues to think through in order to give assurance to the public. ‘In terms of the European Championships, there are other countries involved and some of them have real challenges on their hands with Covid right now so there are tough issues for all of us to grapple with. ‘I can’t stand here in early April and give 100 per cent guarantees for June on anything — that is not the nature of what we are dealing with, but I am very, very hopeful. ‘I’m hopeful that I might be at Hampden to cheer on Scotland at the European Championships and we will continue to work as hard as we can to make that happen.’ lSCOTLANd have confirmed they will face Frank de Boer’s Holland in the Algarve on June 2 before heading to Luxembourg four days later to take on Luc Holtz’s side as part of their final preparations for Euro 2000.