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Is it time up for Hampden Park?

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Outgoing SPFL chairman Ralph Topping has urged Scottish football to ditch Hampden Park.

The SFA has three years left on their agreement for the national stadium that hosts the semi and finals of the Scottish Cup and the bulk of international matches.

In 1999 Millenium Lottery funding paid for the construction of the South Stand which allowed the 2002 Champions League Final to be hosted.

Elsewhere the remainder of the stadium is a cheap option of bolting on seats to an older terrace which provides poor sight lines from most seats.

In 2014 Hampden Park hosted the Commonwealth Games athletics but it looks like future football show-piece occasions will be shared between Celtic Park, Ibrox and Murrayfield provided they meet safety legislation.

For years Hampden has been looked on as a neutral venue for club matches but according to Topping that argument is easily overcome.

Interviewed by the Daily Mail Topping he explained the solution: “Toss a coin or alternate the games, I’m sure there are ways round it.

This might upset Queen’s Park, but do they have to play at Hampden? No. Would it be sensible for Queen’s Park to play at Lesser Hampden? Yes.

The fact is that Hampden is played on too often to be deemed a national stadium.

Queen’s Park won’t like that but there is a day of reckoning coming when this subject will have to be scrutinised and decided upon.”

Celtic’s next visit to Hampden Park is on April 23 for the Scottish Cup semi-final with Sevco.

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