Murrayfield make their pitch for SFA games
Scottish Rugby expect to hear back from the SFA in the next few weeks about their bid to host Scotland matches at Murrayfield.
The Association’s lease on Hampden Park is due to expire in 2020, and they have indicated they are prepared to consider counter- proposals to staying put in Mount Florida.
And with the Edinburgh stadium’s 67,000-capacity making it the country’s biggest, Scottish Rugby feel they have an attractive alternative to offer.
“We think we’ve got a pretty special stadium, a super Desso pitch and a great space to host events on match days,” said Scottish Rugby’s Chief Operating Officer, Dominic McKay.
“We’ve responded to an invitation from our friends at the SFA to offer Murrayfield as a home for Scottish internationals, Cup Finals and semis if their discussions with Queen’s Park go a certain direction on their lease for Hampden. “So we put our best foot forward. “We’ve spent a fair bit of money in and around the stadium in the past few years, making sure the supporters have a great experience, outwith just the 80 or 90 minutes, because they’re shelling out hard-earned cash.
“And because we’re the largest stadium in the country, this also offers a great commercial opportunity for the SFA to drive more money into football.
“Every pound we generate here for Scottish Rugby goes back into rugby.
“We have a bunch of the guys with us from the SFA here shadowing our staff – whether it’s events, ticketing or security – so they get a sense of the matchday.
“The process is being run by the SFA, and I guess we’ll get an update from them on our bid later in December and we’ll take it from there.”
Sir Alex Ferguson is returning to his Glasgow roots to raise a toast to his first senior side. The legendary manager is attending the Gala Dinner to mark the 150th Birthday of Queen’s Park at Hampden on Friday night.
The 75-year-old scored on his senior debut for Queen’s aged 16 in 1958.
He will will propose a toast to the amateur side, as will interim Scotland boss Malky Mackay, who also began his footballing journey at Hampden in 1990.