No problem to play after Robbie Williams gig, says Hampden

Quoted from: http://sport.scotsman.com

'JONATHAN COATES
THE managing director of Hampden said yesterday there was no persuasive reason the national stadium could not play host to France four days after Robbie Williams performs at the ground.
The singer will play to sell-out crowds at Hampden on Friday, 1 and Saturday, 2 September, four days before the provisional date for Scotland's opening Euro 2008 qualifier against France.

Due to the procrastinations of Ukraine, the Group B dates remain subject to change but it is understood the SFA, aware of the potential clash, had hoped only to play away from home in September. At last week's meeting in Paris it avoided the first allocated date of 2 September but landed a home fixture four days later. It was unclear whether that would be enough time after the concerts for the SFA to prepare its traditional base.
Celtic Park and Ibrox would be considered viable alternatives, and Murrayfield even entered the equation last night when the Scottish Rugby Union reacted eagerly to the notion of hosting a major football match in Edinburgh. But David Kells sought to put minds at rest by declaring Hampden would be ready for any visiting side to train on the night of Tuesday 5 September.
The Williams double-header is preceded by a week by a Rolling Stones gig, but Kells said the use of Terraplas technology would prevent damage to the pitch. He also insisted there was no precedent of a clear-up at Hampden taking more than two days but refused to say whether the concert organisers were contractually bound to vacate the stadium within this timeframe.
"We are speaking to the SFA this week and our understanding is Hampden could still be the venue," he said.
"It normally takes a couple of days [to clear up after a concert], but that doesn't mean nothing can happen in terms of preparing for the football during those days.
"And it has never taken more than two days in the past."
The SFA refused to comment on the venue for a fixture that remains hypothetical, given Ukraine's request for extra time to mull over the list. Should Kiev dispute the dates, they will be set independently.
The Williams concerts were scheduled last August in the full knowledge of the SFA, according to Kells, despite their proximity to the usual commencement of qualifying campaigns. "Any letting that the stadium undertakes is discussed with the SFA first," said Kells. "All the dates are discussed with our board, which has SFA representation on it. Everybody was comfortable with these dates being set."
Should the SFA need an alternative to Hampden and want to maximise revenue, they might consider the biggest stadium in the country. An SRU spokesperson said last night: "We are always keen to utilise Murrayfield. We would be very receptive to hearing any proposals."
Coincidentally, Scotland's return fixture against the French will have to be moved from Paris unless the provisional schedule is changed. The game has been pencilled in for 13 October 2007, the same day as a Rugby World Cup semi-final at Stade de France.

Last updated: 14-Feb-06 01:28 GMT'