Hampden is the home of Scottish football

GLASGOW'S Hampden Park will continue to be the home of Scottish Football, following a decision to keep home international and domestic finals at the historic ground.

The city council this afternoon welcomed the decision by the Scottish Football Association, which will see them buy Hampden once the current lease expires.

Council leader Susan Aitken said: "I'm absolutely delighted Hampden will remain the home of Scottish football. This is the right decision for Glasgow, for Scotland and for our national game.

"Now that the decision has been made, we need to have a proper discussion in our community and within the game about a vision for our national stadium for the next decade, and the decade after that, indeed the next 150 years.

"The SFA are now Hampden's custodians and I trust that, working in partnership with the public and private sector and the local community, they can build and deliver that vision.

"Glasgow has come perilously close to losing part of the fabric of this city, of our national game. That in itself should serve as the catalyst to make sure that doesn't occur again.

"Looking beyond Euro 2020, the city wants a stadium fit to host major championships in the men and women's game and to build on our reputation in hosting European finals so together we can create the memories for future generations of fans across the globe.

"No-one is arguing Hampden is perfect and valid criticisms have been made around issues of accessibility and fan experience. But these are far from insurmountable and Glasgow City Council is ready and willing to work with the SFA and other partners to address these.

"What I want to talk about now is how Hampden really can build on its potential as a city asset, a national asset, and a catalyst for change that it has the capacity to be."