Scotland fans could be allowed to drink inside Hampden for at least one of the World Cup warm-up matches as part of a pilot scheme that would lift the ban on alcohol.
It was confirmed yesterday that Steve Clarke’s side will face home friendly matches against Japan in March and Curacao in May.
There will also be two more matches played away from home against opponents who are yet to be confirmed as the Scots look to build form ahead of this summer’s World Cup Finals.
And plans are now afoot for the SFA to introduce the sale of alcohol at the national stadium for at least one of the home fixtures, with several SPFL clubs having already completed similar trials this season.
Speaking at Hampden, chief executive Ian Maxwell told STV: ‘We’ve been heavily involved in those conversations. There have been a number of SPFL grounds that have had trials.
The Scottish FA are in discussions about an alcohol trial at Scotland’s national stadium
SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell believes football should be treated the same as other sports
‘We’re looking at something similar for Hampden – hopefully in the not-too-distant future.
‘When you get to go and enjoy other sports in that kind of environment, it would make sense if football was treated the same way.’
The sale of alcohol has been prohibited at Scottish football matches since 1980. At Euro 2020, Hampden was the only host stadium in the tournament where the sale of alcohol was not permitted.
But the Tartan Army could now be afforded the chance to raise a glass and give the team a mighty send-off before they depart for the tournament in America.
Scotland clinched their place in the World Cup for the first time since 1998 when they defeated Denmark 4-2 in Glasgow back in November.
Clarke’s side will face Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in what promises to be a mouth-watering summer of football in the States.
This will be Japan’s first ever visit to Hampden, whilst Curacao, who are now managed by former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat, are preparing for their first ever World Cup appearance.
‘I’m delighted to confirm our two home friendly opponents,’ said Scotland boss Clarke.
‘Following our normal approach of arranging tough friendly fixtures, we were pleased to secure the visit of Japan — who are in the top 20 of FIFA’s World rankings.
‘We’re also looking forward to welcoming Curacao to Glasgow, which should give us a feel for the CONCACAF federation before our game against Haiti.
‘It will be great to meet up with the squad for the first time since that crazy, momentous night, when they took us back to the World Cup after such a long time.
‘We can spend the first day reminiscing but then it’s back to the serious business of preparing for the summer.’
