Renfrewshire Council will look into the possibility of creating a fan zone during next year’s World Cup as Scotland prepare for the summer spectacular.
A request for officers to “assess the feasibility” of the idea and report their findings to elected members was agreed at Thursday’s full council meeting.
It follows last month’s heroics when Steve Clarke’s side sensationally netted twice in stoppage time, through Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean, to down Denmark 4-2 at Hampden and top their qualifying group.
The Dark Blues have been drawn against Haiti, Morocco and five-times winners Brazil in the group stage of the competition as the Tartan Army head to Boston and Miami in the United States for the fixtures.
But there will be plenty of supporters cheering on from home and the local authority will now consider what it can do to help residents make the most of the experience.
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Councillor Jim Paterson, an SNP representative for Renfrew South and Gallowhill, submitted a motion with the backing of party colleague Councillor Andy Steel, who represents Johnstone South and Elderslie.
The former said: “I appreciate with the recent draw and the times and locations, the logistics of this has become considerably more difficult than I had originally anticipated.
“But I still think it would be worthwhile for a feasibility [assessment] to be done.
“I think there’s still scope for doing something in Renfrewshire to involve as many of our communities as possible in a kind of accessible, affordable fan zone.
“Whether we have to look indoors now and do some kind of partnership with OneRen in terms of the town hall or the Lagoon, which could provide indoor premises, or whether we look to external partners, like St Mirren or Braehead or other large external partners to do a joint venture with this, it’s certainly feasible.
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“If Scotland can get to the World Cup after 28 years of trying, we can put something on to mark and celebrate that occasion, the achievement.
“I was at the game when we qualified and I have to say it was probably one of my best experiences at Hampden supporting Scotland, certainly that I can remember.
“I was at the last time we qualified when we beat Latvia 2-0 as well, so it was quite a nice experience to be there again.
“But what really hit me, as much as the euphoria in the stadium, was in the days after the sense of positivity that was generated … I think we really need to try to seize this opportunity.”
Now the motion has received the support of the chamber, the detail of the proposal will be ironed out through a report which will be presented at the relevant policy board.
It’s expected the focus of any initiative will be on Scotland’s matches but it’s hoped the viability and demand for a wider programme will also be considered through the work.
