Hampden Park has been the home of Scottish football since 1906, but in recent years, there have been calls from some corners to either redevelop the stadium or knock it down and build a new one in its place.
One of the biggest complaints about Hampden Park relates to the atmosphere. Many people feel that fans at the National Stadium are too far away from the pitch, which has a negative impact on the atmosphere generated within it.
Another complaint revolves around its location. Many people feel that the national stadium should be in Edinburgh, the nation's capital, like Wembley Stadium in London. Its location in Glasgow isn't ideal either, with transport in and out of the stadium on matchdays problematic.
Amid calls for a Hampden Park renovation, the Scottish Football Association's (SFA) president, Mike Mulraney, has offered his thoughts on the stadium and provided an update on whether the old stadium will be redeveloped or replaced in the future.
Mike Mulraney shoots down major Hampden Park renovation plans
Mulraney, who has been in the post for a year now with the SFA, believes that much of the criticism associated with Hampden Park is unfair. While he accepts that some modernisation is required, he isn't planning to spend millions on it.
He has shot down suggestions that the SFA should emulate the recent Stuttgart Arena renovation, stating that it would cost £250m. He added:
“All those who say Hampden is not good, it tends to be in the old days when we had 10,000 there and we got beat 1-0. Tell me when I have 51,000 folk bouncing and the lights flashing and we have just qualified, who thinks it's rubbish? Because I don't. I think it's bloody brilliant.
A campaign that started with a John McGinn overhead kick in an empty Hampden, ended with a Ché Adams wondergoal in front of a packed, raucous, boogying Hampden.
✅ Playoff secured, home Semi-Final, 180 minutes away from the World Cup. Up the road. 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/LlYLaVHRNE
— The Tartan Scarf 🏴 (@TheTartanScarf) November 16, 2021
“I have just been down to Wembley, the fans are quite far away from the goals, believe it or not. Nobody speaks about it. I go around Europe and see it over and over again, what do Scots do? We kick ourselves. Well, guess what? I don't, I'm proud of our National Stadium.
“But we will be out there looking at how we get different income to improve our stadium. Of course, it needs to be improved. I'm a property guy, most people know that. You can't sit on your asset, you need to seat it, invest in it, and improve it.
“I love my National Stadium, it's great when we win. I couldn't care if I was sitting on an upturned Irn-Bru crate if I'm watching Scotland win. But I don't want to be. I want to be in a National Stadium I am currently proud of and one that, when it's finished, we'll be prouder of because we'll improve it as well.”
Rangers in talks with SFA over Hampden Park use
It has now been reported that Rangers have entered talks with the Scottish FA over the temporary use of Hampden Park for early season fixtures during the 2024/25 campaign.
The Gers' usual home, the Ibrox, has been receiving improvements over the summer, but with delays to the renovations, the Scottish giants have been forced to find an alternative ground to call home for the start of next season.
However, there are complications which could make a deal between the pair difficult to come by. Not only has the pitch at Hampden Park recently been re-turfed, meaning it may not be match-ready in time for Rangers to use, but Queen's Park also have an agreement to use the ground after September 5.
But, if Rangers were able to secure the stadium on a temporary basis, however briefly, it would likely make it even more difficult for any major renovations on Hampden Park to be completed any time soon.