The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Brown slams Hampden for lack of atmosphere
DECISION: Former Scotland skipper says Murrayfield better for big games
Former Scotland captain Scott Brown ranked Hampden among the worst grounds for atmosphere after the decision to keep it as the home of Scottish football.
He was scathing of the Scottish Football Association’s announcement that it had agreed a £5 million deal to buy the stadium from Queen’s Park instead of moving to BT Murrayfield.
Using Celtic Park and Ibrox was previously ruled out after a bid process.
The Celtic captain, who retired from international football earlier this year said: “Hampden is possibly one of the worst stadiums atmosphere.
“For footballing-wise and Scotland as well, I think we should be playing at Celtic Park, Ibrox and the smaller games, when you only get 17 or 18,000, should be at Hibs and Hearts, and the bigger games could be at Murrayfield as well.
“We’ve got some great stadiums and we choose to use the wrong stadium.”
SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell promised to find ways to improve the fan experience by redeveloping Hampden.
But Brown said: “It’s not going to happen, you need to start that stadium all over again.
“It was built for a running track and you are not going to get the fans and the noise on top of you that scare the opposing players.
“You play at Celtic Park, Ibrox, Tynecastle, you have got the atmosphere there and that’s what makes the opponents a little bit scared.”
Queen’s Park vowed to discuss the development with their members after I have played in for the deal ensured they will need to move next door to Lesser Hampden.
The £5m fee will allow that ground to be redeveloped, while a move to Murrayfield would have cast major uncertainty over the future of Scotland’s oldest football club.
The Scottish Rugby Union thanked the SFA for having had the chance to bid.
Chief operating officer Dominic Mckay added: “Our presentation clearly demonstrated the significant benefits of Scotland’s largest stadium and how we have worked to develop a quality experience for all visiting fans.
“We are naturally disappointed this once-in-a-generation opportunity to develop a partnership for a true national stadium for Scotland at BT Murrayfield.
“It would have enabled the country’s two largest sports to work side by side for the wider benefit of Scottish sport and society, has not been taken.
“Throughout this bid process Scottish Rugby has developed an excellent relationship with its friends at the Scottish FA and hope this will continue.”