Kenny Shiels wants a Scotland game at Rugby Park

Published on 08/02/2013 00:00

KILMARNOCK manager Kenny Shiels has called for the Scottish Football Association to consider Rugby Park for future Scotland games.

The Ayrshire venue has not hosted a full international since the visit of Wales in a friendly in May 1997 – when John Hartson scored the winning goal.

Wednesday night’s friendly win over Estonia was held at Aberdeen’s Pittodrie, while Hibs’ Easter Road was used earlier in the season for the visit of Australia in another friendly.

Shiels believes Rugby Park – which has a capacity of 18,128 – would be another ideal venue for friendlies, when an alternative is sought to Hampden.

The Northern Irishman said: “I would like to see an international match at Kilmarnock.

“My chairman 
has had the foresight to 
work on the pitch and 
spend a lot of money on it.

“Outside of Glasgow, it’s probably one of the best facilities to have an international match. We’ve got great facilities and we’ve a hotel on site, which is fantastic.

“We would be more than willing for the SFA to avail of that service.

“It’s a fantastic set-up and they have to realise that we are a football club as well.

“I’m disappointed that we have been overlooked yet again.”