The SFA will snub their own £33m purpose-built Oriam training complex in favour of Rangers’ Hummel Training Centre if Scotland qualifies for Euro 2020.
Hampden is set to host two of the nation’s group games if Scotland qualify for the tournament and the governing body notified UEFA of which base they’d use earlier this year.
Scotland have used the Oriam training centre since last year after a player mutiny forced a move from the luxury Mar Hall hotel [Scotsman].
Scotland’s decision to use the Hummel Training Centre over Oriam was indirectly revealed by former Rangers winger Libor Sionko.
“We went to Scotland twice to look at everything and we had three choices – Rangers, Stirling or Edinburgh,” said Sionko, who is now the Czechs FA’s Team Manager [Daily Record].
“I know Rangers well because of my time in Scotland, but the Rangers Training Centre has already been booked by the Scottish national team and Oriam suited us best as an alternative. It’s the highest level training performance centre in Scotland.
“In Edinburgh, we will have peace and quiet and the facilities are excellent. It’s also less than an hour away from Glasgow.
“The hotel is next to the complex and very modern and it’s just the perfect base for us. We arrive there on June 10.”
The Record report claims the decision was taken before Steve Clarke was in charge but it remains testament to the standard of facility Rangers have up near Milngavie.
Whilst the Oriam complex is itself an impressive training centre; had Scotland chosen it, rival sides would have been given the chance to use the Hummel Training Centre.
Given it’s proximity to Hampden and the nature of the facility it is probably the best placed for any side playing at the national stadium.
Should Scotland qualify for the tournament through the Nations League playoff, they face the prospect of a group containing the Czech Republic, Croatia and the Auld Enemy, England.
