THE Scottish Parliament has been asked to back the campaign to keep Hampden as the home of Scottish football.

James Dornan, Cathcart SNP MSP, whose constituency includes the stadium has lodged a motion at Holyrood highlighting the Evening Times Save the Hampden Roar campaign.

If the Scottish Football Association decides to end its tenure with Hampden owners Queen Park then the biggest matches would be switched to Edinburgh.

The MSP said it would be “unthinkable” to lose Hampden and has written to all Glasgow MSPs seeking their support to allow the issue to be debated in the parliament.

So far he has the backing of several SNP and Labour MSPs from across Scotland.

The SFA last week narrowed its options down to either remaining at Hampden after 2020, when the lease runs out or moving to Murrayfield, the home of Scottish Rugby.

It ruled out hosting matches at Celtic Park and Ibrox when it rejected a joint bid from Celtic and Rangers who were looking to prise the top matches away from Hampden.

Mr Dornan said that Hampden should be the venue for Scotland matches and cup finals and highlighted the financial contribution to the city from the stadium.

He said: “It is absolutely essential that Scottish football remains here in Glasgow. Whether you are a football fan or not, the economic benefits Hampden brings to the whole city is enormous, and it would be unthinkable to lose this.

“Hampden has been the home of Scottish football for over 115 years, and it would be a travesty to consign it to the history books. I am under no illusions, Hampden isn’t perfect. However, if stakeholders can get a long-term improvement plan in place then people’s concerns can be addressed.

“I hope MSPs across Glasgow can sign my motion, and support the Evening Time’s campaign to Save the Hampden Roar.”

The MSP, noted the famous matches that have been played on the Hampden turf notably European Cup Finals featuring Real Madrid, in 1960 when they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3and in 2002 when Zinedine Zidane scored one of the greatest goals in the competition to lift the trophy.

He listed the non-football events like the Commonwealth Games athletics and the numerous concerts held at the stadium also bringing in revenue to the city.

So far, at the time of going to print the motion has the backing of 14 MSPs including SNP colleagues Bill Kidd and Sandra White and Labour MSPs Anas Sarwar and Johann Lamont

The SFA is consider the two options and make a decision in the summer.