The SFA may wave goodbye to Hampden

The SFA are threatening to leave the Scottish National Stadium and stop using it for international matches and cup semis and finals.

The lease, which is in place until 2020, is currently under review by the governing body and an SFA have refused to rule out anything. An SFA spokesperson said “We are considering all options regarding the expiry of the stadium lease in 2020.”

Local Labour candidate in Langside, which takes in Hampden Park, Steven Livingston raised his concern about the impact this would have on local businesses.

He said: “If the SFA carry out their threat to vacate the national stadium there will be an adverse impact on the local economy in Mount Florida, Shawlands, Battlefield, Kings Park an Toryglen and the wider southside of the city.

“I’ve met with local business owners and they’ve made it clear that if the SFA vacate Hampden they could be in dire straits.

“Local businesses rely on the extra business generated by Scotland internationals and cup finals. By moving these games away from Hampden and taking this income away will only add more challenges to many local businesses who are already struggling.

Local Businessman Brian Reilly, owner of The Candy Box on Holmlea Road said: “The prospect of the SFA leaving Hampden is a worrying. If international matches and national cup finals are no longer held there it will be a bitter blow to my business which benefits from the increased footfall on match days. I know mine won’t be the only business in the area concerned about this.”

The SFA first mooted the idea of leaving Hampden Park in 2014.