Gary Flockhart: Waiting for the woman

EVERY few years, the rumours fly around that Madonna is going to play her first ever gig in Scotland - and every few years said rumours come to nothing.

So it goes without saying that reports that the superstar is set to play Murrayfield this summer should be taken with a pinch of salt until confirmation - or denial - is provided.

I don’t say this to dampen the hopes of those who have been waiting years to see the queen of pop perform on Scottish soil - I say it because of past disappointments.

Madonna was strongly rumoured to be playing the home of Scottish rugby in June 2006, and that never happened. Two years later, it was reported she was going to play Hampden Park, and that didn’t happen either.

As well as the Murrayfield rumour, there’s another one going around that Madge will headline T In the Park this summer - she rarely does festivals, so I can’t see it.

The Murrayfield date - said to be July 21 - seems the more likely, but we cannot be sure. So far, all a Madonna insider would say is that “Scotland is being discussed, but it’s still a bit away from being cut and dried.”

That’s not stopped touts from cashing in. One agency is offering VIP tickets at £400 plus VAT, while another had best seats at £125.

Steer well clear of them, say Madonna’s people. “These tickets don’t exist and these agencies are stealing your money,” said the insider.

There’s no question it will be a real coup for the Capital if Madge does make her way here this summer, but fans shouldn’t fork out cash until it’s set in stone - and that means via official announcement only.