SAFE-standing could be used to improve the experience for fans at Hampden and save the stadium as the home of Scottish Football.

The SFA is due to make a decision this month on whether to stay at Hampden or move Scotland matches and cup finals to Murrayfield.

As football’s bosses make their minds up Susan Aitken, the leader of Glasgow City Council, has written to the SFA President with a series of suggestions for improvement and reasons why Hampden should be the winner.

She said if the stadium owners were to make a valid application for safe standing areas there would be “no obvious barriers” to it being given the go-ahead by the council.

Fans have complained that the view from behind the goals in the east and west stands is poor and the stadium lacks atmosphere.

If the suggestion was taken up it could see thousands of fans standing for Scotland internationals and domestic cup finals and semi-finals.

Read more: Poll: Residents back SFA to stay at Hampden 

Ms Aitken has sought to address concerns of fans whose match day experience has not been positive with the behind the goal areas a common complaint.

In a survey of supporters it was found that 40% said the experience was bad or very bad.

She said: “A regular discussion point about Hampden is the capacity to enhance the fan experience, particularly the sight lines at the East and West ends of the stadium.”

Ms Aitken said that she did not believe that significant structural changes was the only way to resolve the criticisms.

She added: “One of the most significant developments in fan experience in recent years has been pioneered in Glasgow, with Celtic Park successfully operating a safe standing area for the past two seasons. Interest in whether a similar scheme would appeal to other clubs and fans has not been limited to our other clubs in the city.

Read more: Hampden chief warns SFA that Murrayfield move could lead to fixture chaos 

“Indeed there has been correspondence from local authorities and senior clubs from across the UK, seeking more information about how we have facilitated safe standing in the city.”

Ms Aitken gave encouragement to a bid for safe standing and the council has already given permission for Celtic’s safe standing area, occupied by the Green Brigade fans group.

She said “Were an application for a standing area at Hampden submitted to Glasgow City Council, providing it met all the relevant safety, stewarding and accessibility criteria, there would be no obvious barriers to the bid being approved by the authority.”

Celtic Park is currently the only stadium in Scotland with a safe standing area with 2600 rail seats which allow standing and then seats when required for European matches.

Read more: Peter Dallas: No one can tell me that there's no atmosphere at Hampden

There are no safe standing areas in England, where it is prohibited following the Taylor report into the Hillsborough disaster although some clubs have applied for permission and others considering it.

West Bromwich Albion had a request rejected by the UK Government who said there are no plans to change the law requiring all seater stadiums

It is more common on mainland Europe and in Germany every Bundesliga club has a safe standing section.

Borussia Dortmund has 25,000 spaces in the Westfalenstadion known as the ‘yellow wall’ which is a famous sight in European football.

The most common is rail seating like that used at Celtic Park where seats are locked up for standing and then released for matches where seating is required.

Read more: Hampden owners Queen's Park agree to sell Scottish football's spiritual home to the SFA in principle

If applied for and approved it could mean a return to thousands of fans standing behind the goals at one or both ends of Hampden.

The SFA Board will meet next week to discuss a bid by Hampden Park to retain its national stadium status and by the Scottish Rugby Union for a deal to host matches at Murrayfield.

The Evening Times Save the Hampden Roar campaign has highlighted why Hampden must stay as the venue for the top matches at club and country level for footballing and economic reasons.

It has the backing of politicians, business leaders and football stars.

Ms Aitken also said that Fan Zones could be introduced to improve match day experience.

She added: “Fan Zones area a growing part of the footballing landscape and will be a key aspect of the fan experience for Euro 2020. This move towards providing a family focused platform for improving the match-day experience is broadly welcomed by the council.”

She said community engagement was positive and safety regulations were met it could be approved.

Ms Aitken added: “Fan Zones for all matches at Hampden is something that the city council, as the local licensing authority , could accommodate.