Haughey and Hunter set to help SFA with redevelopment

Lord Willie Haughey has warned the Scottish Football Association the hard work starts now as they look to bring Hampden up to scratch.

But the businessman – who joined forces with fellow tycoon Sir Tom Hunter to donate £2.5 million to allow the governing body to buy the stadium – has vowed to invest yet more time and money on plans to redevelop Scottish football’s historic home.

The SFA has struck a £5m deal by which it will take ownership in two years, but face an even heftier bill to transform the ground to benefit fans.

SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell will study the 2011 redevelopment of German club Stuttgart’s Mercedes-benz Arena, which underwent a radical overhaul when it solved a problem similar to that currently facing Hampden.

However, the cost of such a major project is certain to run to tens of millions.

Former Celtic director Haughey added: “I’m absolutely delighted that this has all been put to bed and this will be the venue forever more for the national team. However, I think this is where the hard work starts. The SFA and the powers to be, hopefully with a bit of input from Tom and myself, will help create a stadium and an atmosphere that everybody can be proud of.”

Former Scotland skipper Scott Brown has called Hampden “possibly one of the worst stadiums I have played in for atmosphere”.

Haughey sympathises and that is why he feels redevelopment work is so urgently required.

He said: “I think they are right to complain. For the people in the ends [behind the goals], because of the running track you are so far away from the [pitch]. The atmosphere you get at Celtic Park or Ibrox cannot be replicated there at Hampden, so we have to look at that.”

Haughey says he may also dip back into his pockets to help fund the next generation of Scotland internationals.

“The main thing is we want the team to do well, we want to get Scotland back into European Championships and World Cups,” he said. “So if we feel the SFA is going the right way, we will definitely look to maybe give some more to grassroots football so we can get more young talent coming through.”