Mcleish urges change to better ‘fan experience’

Scotland manager Alex Mcleish was relieved that Hampden was safeguarded as the home of the national team.

But the former Aberdeen defender recognises that the stadium should be improved to satisfy fans.

Mcleish kept his opinions to himself in the run-up to the Scottish Football Association’s decision on its future home last month, but he let his employer know he favoured staying at Hampden ahead of a move to BT Murrayfield.

The SFA made that reality when it struck a deal to buy the stadium from Queen’s Park but chief executive Ian Maxwell immediately vowed to look into ways to improve the atmosphere and fan experience.

Mcleish has a huge bank of memories of Hampden after managing Rangers, Hibernian and Motherwell in Mount Florida and winning a host of trophies and many of his 77 internationals caps.

However, he accepts the stadium is in need of a revamp.

“I was advocating privately for Hampden but Murrayfield is a sensational set-up as well,” the 59-year-old said.

“We can improve Hampden to satisfy everybody and make it a really good atmosphere, because we know what it’s like when this stadium is full. When the national team are going well, and cup finals, it can be absolutely fantastic.

“But it’s going to improve things, and that’s the main factor. Everybody was saying yes, Hampden, but can we make it a better Hampden? And I guess that’s where the next challenge is.

“We have spoken about the two ends, it’s difficult for people to view the pitch on certain levels. There is that scope for bringing it in, I don’t know, I’m not an architect, that’s obviously someone else’s job. But these are the immediate situations to deal with,” he said.