DOMINIC MCKAY, Scottish Rugby’s chief operating officer, believes that the building of a new stadium in the grounds of BT Murrayfield can help boost their bid to bring international football to Edinburgh.
Scottish Rugby have applied for planning permission to install a new 7800-seater venue with a 3G surface, which will primarily be used as the new home of Edinburgh Rugby. But McKay believes it will give them an edge as in their bid to entice the SFA to dump Hampden in favour of Murrayfield, enhancing the matchday experience and perhaps hosting Scotland under-21 fixtures before full internationals.
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“Whether it’s adding to the fanzone, which we have had a great experience with, or it’s an opportunity for curtain-raiser games with legends - that’s for the marketing men to dream up ideas,” McKay said.
“I genuinely think hosting [under-21 games before internationals] is possible. That would be our intention.
“The marketeers can dream up some smart ideas to utilise the asset but also to look after the customers. Give them what they want, which is a day out. They want to come and watch their national team. Whether it’s football or whether it’s rugby, you want to have a great day, a great experience, and part of that experience is the anticipation of going to the game and getting to the starting whistle.
“If you can create some experiences before that, that’s all adding value.”
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MacKay has yet to speak to Ian Maxwell since he took up the post of chief executive of the SFA, but he has been encouraged by the former Partick Thistle managing director’s assertion that the final decision will be one of head over heart.
“We recognise there’s a formal process to follow but we were pleased to hear those comments,” he said. “The SFA have been great at running a very professional process. We would not be engaged if we did not feel there was a genuine process taking place and Ian’s comments reiterate that.”
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