Time to ditch Hampden for Murrayfield: Levein

Former Scotland boss hopes Pittodrie international clash is sign of things to come

Former Scotland boss Craig Levein has urged the national team to follow in the footsteps of Italy, Germany and Spain by taking fixtures around the country.

The future of Hampden is currently a hot topic, with the Scottish Football Association’s lease on their historic home set to expire in 2020.

The Scottish Rugby Union has made no secret of its desire to see international and domestic cup matches hosted at Murrayfield as a viable alternative, having illustrated the stadium’s ability to host football matches during Hearts’ recent residency while Tynecastle is being redeveloped.

However, fresh from 17,883 fans watching Scotland play out a 1-1 draw against the Netherland at Pittodrie last Thursday night, Levein hopes that is a sign of things to come.

He said: “I quite like the idea of Scotland games going round the country. For the smaller games you could go to Tynecastle, Easter Road or Aberdeen and get a full house.

“Then for the big games you could sell out Murrayfield. If we played England there it would be full, it’s a simple as that.

“I think times they are a-changing. Things are moving on, so I don’t think there are any big barriers to something like that.”

Levein bossed Scotland between 2009 and 2012, and while the tenure was far from successful, he is acutely aware of the emotional draw of Hampden.

But not withstanding that history, he does believe Murrayfield has the infrastructure to be Scotland’s new home, should the SFA choose to go in that direction.

He continued: “It would be reasonable for me to say that Murrayfield has been a very good experience.

“The pitch is fantastic, the dressing rooms are great and the atmosphere was good, particularly in the Rangers and Aberdeen games.

“I would imagine that the idea would be to play some of the smaller matches at other grounds and Murrayfield would host the big games. That makes sense.

“From what I’ve seen I couldn’t make any criticisms of the way things have gone. As an international venue I can’t see anything negative that I could say would be any reason why it shouldn’t be tried.”

Levein, however, is not in a position to vouch for the supporters’ enjoyment at the home of Scottish rugby, based on his admittedly limited experience.

He smiled: “I’ve been to one Scotland rugby international – it was rubbish!

“It was the game against England three or four years ago when the pitch was terrible and we didn’t play very well.

“The atmosphere was good before the game but it would have been better if Scotland had played better, but that’s like any normal situation for any sporting event.”

SFA chief executivce Stewart Regan admitted to the BBC last week that there was a realistic chance that the SFA could leave Hampden.

The SFA’s 20-year lease expires in 2020, but there is a renewal option.

“We’re exploring the plusses and minuses of going,” Regan said, who added that it would cost “many, many millions of pounds” to stay at Hampden, and that such a scenario would require external funding from public and private bodies.

In addition to exploring the financial pros and cons of staying at Hampden or leaving, the SFA is also canvassing opinion from clubs, managers, the players’ union and supporters groups.

The renewal option would allow the SFA to secure another 20 years at the national stadium, which is owned by Scottish League One club Queen’s Park.

SNS. Hampden Park has played host to Scotland international fixtures since 1906 and officially been the national stadium since 1925.

Former Scotland boss Craig Levein, top, is backing Murrayfield over Hampden as SFA chief Stewart Regan considers the historic ground’s future.