Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Head over heart for SFA chief Ian
IAN Maxwell admits he has a soft spot for Hampden but says that will play no part as he weighs up a decision on a potential new home for Scottish football.
The Scottish Football Association’s lease at the national stadium expires in two years and the body is examining a bid that would see international clashes and major cup finals moved to Murrayfield.
It is understood the SFA are also i n talks with Q u e e n ’s P a r k a b o u t purchasing the stadium – which has staged Scotland matches since 1906 – for a knock-down £2 million fee.
Maxwell will now have a major say i n t he final decision, which has been pushed back to August, after taking up his new role as SFA chief executive.
But the former defender, who kicked off his 20-year playing career at Hampden with the Spiders, has reassured Scottish Rugby Union chiefs he will not let his past sway him as he vowed to give their proposal a fair hearing.
“There is very much a process ongoing,” he said. “I was involved in it until I stepped off the board but I’ve not been i nvolved during t he recruitment process so I’m now getting back up to speed.
“We will make a decision on t hat when t he ti me comes. I think the plan to make the decision is round about August.
“I don’t think I was ever partisan on the issue but obviously I have a Queen’s Park connection. However, I’m now making a decision for the whole of Scottish football.”