Brendan says Hampden is not fit for final
Rodgers insists Hampden glory days are in the past
On the eve of Betfred Cup clash Celtic boss claims the national stadium is long past its sell-by date
Brendan Rodgers last night claimed Hampden wasn’t fit for purpose as Scotland’s national stadium.
The Celtic manager added his views to the debate over the future of Scotland’s home as he prepared to take the Hoops to Hampden for today’s Betfred Cup Final with Motherwell.
He has won all five of his previous visits to
Hampden but admitted he didn’t consider it up to much.
The SFA are considering whether to ditch the ground when the lease runs out in 2020.
And Rodgers said: “If we’re talking stadia then it’s not a great stadium. There’s better.
“If you’re talking about access, comfort, the view of the game, there are many things about Hampden that aren’t good.
“It’s not ideal and I don’t know the real story behind the investment and how it was reformed.
“But you always think about the supporters and I hear enough people saying it’s not very good.
“I’m the lucky one who gets to stand at the side of the pitch. I always wonder about how much the people behind the goal really see. It’s one for the SFA to decide.
“This is where we have to play the games, though, so we’ve got to like it. And as long as the pitch is a good pitch and there are posts at either end then we’ve got to perform and we’ve got to find a way. It’ll be the same this weekend.” Rodgers admits, though, that he understands the sentimental argument for keeping Hampden at the heart of the national game. Many of Celtic’s – and European footbal l ’ s – f inest moments have come there in front of record-breaking crowds.
He said: “That is the other side to Hampden. It’s where all the stories are down the years right back to the black and white pictures.
“Real Madrid and European Cup and Champions League finals, so there is a real historical element.
“I know there is a real mindset for a lot of negatives around Scotland but I try to look for real positives. I have enjoyed going there. “My experience of it has been great of course.
“Sometimes the atmosphere is right up there.
“After the Scotland v England game I remember people saying the whole place shook so it has the potential and possibility.
“But I’ve never been to the other stadiums. I know Hearts were playing at Murrayf ield, which looks a proper, well thoughtout stadium.”