Football fan and Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Murdo Fraser, has expressed disappointment after the SFA ruled out McDiarmid Park from hosting Scottish international ‘A’ team friendlies.
In a letter from Scottish football’s Chief Executive, Stewart Regan, the SFA state that ‘constraining factors’ such as the number of Scotland Supporters Club members will prevent McDiarmid Park from holding international ‘A’ team matches.
However, Murdo Fraser has pointed at the average attendance of friendlies held outside of Perth as evidence for matches to be held in Perth.
Since 2004 only four home games have been held outside of Glasgow, at Easter Road and Pittodrie respectively, and Murdo believes McDiarmid Park should be added into the rotation.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“After St Johnstone’s Scottish Cup win there is a real appetite for football in the city and I am very disappointed that the SFA have chosen not to seize upon this and serve up friendly games in Perth.
“I fully understand the points the SFA make in their response but I believe there is no better venue for hosting friendly internationals against lower-tier nations than McDiarmid Park.
“If the SFA are concerned about lower attendances as a result of games being played at the 10,673 capacity venue, it is worth remembering that the average attendance for the last four friendly games played outside of Glasgow is 13,314.
“The ‘Tartan Army’ are the best football fans in the world and Perth would benefit from the colour and atmosphere they bring. Moving games around the country would also give far more Scots the chance to see their team play and could also help encourage more youngsters into the game.”