By STEWART PATERSON

Political Correspondent

A BID to save Hampden as the home of Scottish football is being presented to the SFA by Glasgow City Council.

The SFA is looking at a straight choice of whether or not to renew the lease on the stadium when it runs out in 2020 or leave and host matches elsewhere.

The council wants football’s governing body to consider a third option of an extension to the lease to allow more detailed plans to be devised which would secure the future of the stadium.

The council is proposing setting up a working group which would address the long term issues surrounding the stadium, which is owned by Queen’s Park FC.

The council is firmly behind Hampden remaining the home of football but said more time is needed to develop a strategy.

Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Ahead of its meeting on Tuesday, we have made the SFA Board aware we are prepared to commit to a football-led working group seeking to retain Hampden Park as a key sporting asset in the city.

“But the existing timescales provide limited scope for the relevant parties to come together, propose and examine whatever options may emerge from discussions on Hampden’s future.

“As such we have asked them to consider amending their current decision-making timetable by a reasonable period to allow the working group to develop potential viable options.”

The SFA board is meeting on Tuesday to discuss options presented to it.

If it decides to leave Hampden, Celtic and Rangers have put in a joint bid to host international and cup final matches at Celtic Park and Ibrox.

The board is also believed to be considering the option of Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

Business leaders and sporting personalities have backed the Evening Times Save the Hampden Roar campaign launched when the SFA said it was considering ditching Hampden as the National Stadium.

The stadium, hosting internationals and cup finals brings revenue to Glasgow and adds to the city’s reputation as a top sporting city, helping to bring international events to other venues Glasgow.

Ms Aitken added: “It is the view of the City Government and wider council family that Hampden should remain the home of the Scottish National Team.

“We have expressed this view to the SFA, as well as our willingness to engage with all key stakeholders to develop a positive future for the National Stadium.

“We accept there are a number of challenges however it would be to Glasgow’s economic, cultural and reputational detriment were Hampden no longer the National Stadium.”