FOOTBALL can do amazing things to you.

It can reduce to tears in an instant, while turning you into a raving, screaming bag of hysteria. Quite often being a Scotland fan, it can do both in quick succession.

That point was brutally illustrated of course last weekend when Scotland snatched a stalemate from the jaws of victory with the 2-2 draw with England.

Away from the realisation that Leigh Griffiths is undoubtedly Scotland's first choice striker from now on - it really shouldn't have been in doubt in the first place - a strong case was put forward in the defence for something else. Hampden.

The old ground is no stranger to criticism. It's too big. It's too small. The view isn't good. It's not what it used to be. You know what, it probably isn't.

But the much-maligned national stadium was perhaps a bigger surprise last weekend than the result itself. After years of being dormant, it erupted like Krakatoa with each Griffiths free-kick.

The word bedlam doesn't even cover it. The deep stands around the Hampden pitch took to life, the sight of stairwells vanished beneath thousands of people spilling out of their seats in wild celebration. And that was just the press box. To say one or two of us 'lost our shape' is putting it mildly.

The noise around the place was deafening. I'm too young to remember what the 'old Hampden roar' sounded like - my first jaunt to Hampden was in 1998 - and no doubt our head of sport, who takes great delight in telling us young 'uns how we know heehaw, will inform me that the noise generated on Saturday was like a constipated wasp passing wind in comparison to the good old days.

Well, for once he may be right. But I don't care.

Regular sufferers of this nonsense will remember last week's column where I called on this game to inspire the next generation of not just Scotland fans but Scottish footbal fans.

Undoubtedly the team delivered, and so did the stadium. Being there was a special, special moment that just wouldn't have been the same if it was anywhere else. Hampden is Scottish football's spiritual home and it's time we accepted that.

Yes, it's not perfect. It's a bit of a nightmare at times. But it's our nightmare.

The images of the scenes around the ground beaming across the world on television and on social media will live on for years to come. They will become part of Scottish football folklore just like Gary Caldwell's goal against France and the other great games that have taken place on that piece of Mount Florida turf.

I've previously written that the time may be up for Hampden as it's not fit for purpose. And the second part of that is still true, but it's time the SFA and those who run the stadium sit down and come up with a compromise.

The lease is due up in 2020 and already Stewart Regan has made noises about exploring other options. The SPFL have also said the will leave if the SFA do. For what it's worth the quotes from Regan smacks of someone trying to get cheaper rent.

Scottish football's showpiece matches should be played at Hampden but that doesn't mean in its current form. It's about time a decision was made to fix the place to make it more fan friendly, starting with bring the East and West Stands closer to the park. It's the main complaint from fans and would solve a lot of problems in one go. While you're at it, continue the top tier from the South Stand around behind the goals to provide a second tier that could be open for bigger matches, thus creating the right atmosphere.

Yes, it won't be cheap, but it has to be done. The SFA won't want to pay for it as it's not their stadium, but maybe the ownership of the national stadium should be looked at in order to raise revenue to complete a facelift.

Queen's Park proudly boast the arena is theirs. And it is. But, let's be honest, it's an utter nonsense. If it wasn't for cup finals, semi-finals and Scotland matches the place would likely go bust. The Spiders are not in a strong bargaining position.

Last weekend Hampden provided another iconic Scottish football moment. Those in charge of our game and Queen's Park must put self interest aside and do what's right to make sure she gives us plenty more.