Hampden 1, Murrayfield 0 for Hibs-Hearts Scottish Cup final

SCOTTISH football’s governing body has declared that Hampden Park should host next month’s Scottish Cup final between Hearts and Hibs, despite calls being made for the big game to be staged at Murrayfield.

Fans of the Edinburgh clubs face a ticket scramble to secure their place in the 52,000 capacity stadium in Glasgow after officials said there was no question of relocating it to the home of the national rugby side.

The decision will mean bumper business for coach and minibus operators, but a huge logistical headache for rail operator ScotRail, which plans to deploy extra services on three separate routes to Glasgow to accommodate demand.

Murrayfield Stadium, which can hold more than 67,000, had been touted by politicians, business leaders and fans of the rival sides since Hearts beat Celtic on Sunday, ensuring the first all- Edinburgh Scottish Cup final since 1896.

Last night, First Minister Alex Salmond insisted the right decision had been made by the SFA, which is thought to have a long-term legal agreement in place to use Hampden for major semi- finals and finals.

His spokesman said: “Hampden is the home of Scottish football, and it is only right for the cup final to be played there.”

But the decision was branded “predictable and short-sighted” by council leaders in the capital, who want the game moved to Murrayfield to help reduce the cost of the occasion for fans, reduce the chance of crowd trouble, ensure more people can see the match and curb congestion problems on the M8.

Deputy council leader Steve Cardownie said: “I’m sure the fans will largely behave themselves going to and from Hampden, but to me it would have made much more sense to play the game at Murrayfield.

“You could have fitted 15,000 more people into the stadium and it would have made it much more affordable for families than to have everyone go through to Glasgow. The SFA are nothing if not predictable with this decision, but I do think it is short-sighted of them.

“However, I think it will still be a fantastic occasion for the city.”

Business leaders in Glasgow said the SFA had made the right call not to relocate the final to Edinburgh – even though this had been done once before, for the 1896 final.

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick said: “Major football occasions are vitally important to Glasgow’s tourism and leisure sector, just as rugby internationals are in Edinburgh.

“The Scottish cup final and occasions like it bring millions of pounds a year to Glasgow. Murrayfield is a wonderful stadium, but it is the home of rugby – not football.

“I’m sure the supporters of Hearts and Hibs will be looking forward to their day out in Scotland’s biggest city. And if the winners want to stay on and celebrate, they are very welcome.”

Graham Birse, policy director at Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said Edinburgh was still set for an unprecedented boom.

“There is going to be huge benefit for both clubs in merchandising and corporate hospitality, transport operators will benefit and one set of fans will be looking to celebrate in style.”

Murrayfield

Capacity: 67,200.

• The stadium has been all-seater since a massive overhaul in 1995.

• It is the home of all Scotland’s home Six Nations matches and home fixtures for Edinburgh Rugby.

• Murrayfield replaced Inverleith as the home of Scottish rugby internationals when it opened in 1925. Its highest attendance was in 1975, when 104,000 watched Scotland tackle Wales.

• Tina Turner, Kings of Leon, Rolling Stones, Oasis and REM have staged concerts there, while Madonna will visit this summer.

• Major events include the World Bowl American football event, the Heineken Cup rugby final and Bob Geldof’s Live 8 concert, in 2005.

• The nearest railway station is at Haymarket.

Hampden

Capacity: 52,063.

• Hampden has been all-seater since redevelopment work was completed in 1999.

• It plays host to regular matches by Scottish Football League side Queen’s Park.

• The existing ground, the biggest in the world when it opened, dates back to 1903.

• The record attendance of 149,415 was for a Scotland-England match in 1937.

• Among the pop and rock acts to perform there in recent years have been Take That, U2, AC/DC and Eminem.

• Other major events have included the Champions League Final and the Uefa Cup Final. It is also a key venue for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

• It is served by two railway stations, at King’s Park and Mount Florida.