Taylor optimistic despite stadium blow

Scottish Football Association chief executive David Taylor insists there is no need to panic after the Government refused to commit public money for a new stadium as part of the joint Euro 2008 bid.

Bertie Ahern revealed earlier this week the coalition government had vetoed plans for public money to be used on a new arena.

Scotland will have six stadia as part of their bid for the championships with Ireland providing two and the decision was seen as a major blow to those hopes.

Lansdowne Road is already available but the other major stadium in Dublin - Croke Park – is historically used for the sole purpose of Gaelic sports.

However, Taylor has been re-assured by Ahern a privately-financed stadium will provide an even better chance of meeting the criteria required by UEFA, whose inspection team arrive in Dublin on Monday.

Taylor said: “There is no cause for alarm. The more certain we can be would obviously assist the case.

“But we have re-stated on a number of occasions the guarantees from the Irish government that they will deliver two stadia of the required nature for the bid.

“That hasn‘t changed but there has been a change in the nature of funding for Stadium Ireland.

“But all the indications are that this is the preferred route for funding and better for timescales.

“That is what they are telling us and what we will be telling the inspectors next week.”

Scotland‘s First Minister Jack McConnell backed Taylor‘s stance after conversations with Ahern.

McConnell said: “I spoke to Bertie Ahern this week and he has confirmed their continuing commitment to providing the two stadiums required.

“It is up to the Irish government as to how they finance the development of the stadium or make them available.

“But they are still very strongly committed to this bid and they will put on a good presentation to the inspection team on Monday.

“I know Bertie believes the quickest way to finance a national stadium is to secure that stadium as part of a wider development on that site and for that development to be lead by the private sector.

“The adverts are in the Irish press today and, if they keep meeting the deadlines, we will be delighted.

“A number of people have expressed an interest and they have had to advertise properly to get that interest formally expressed.

“The national stadium was always going to be part of a wider development and that will now go ahead with the support of the private sector.”

Now Taylor is convinced the Scots-Irish bid represents the strongest possible candidate among a field of seven which also includes offers from Switzerland/Austria, Greece/Turkey and Hungary.

Taylor said: “We start from a better position than our principal competitors in terms of the size of our stadiums and the number already built.

“We have a starting advantage and it is our job to convince UEFA, starting with the inspection team next week, that we can deliver on all the other commitments.

“We believe the package is a very attractive and innovative one for UEFA to award us the championships.

“In Switzerland, a stadium in Zurich has not been built, it is going to be private sector funded and also needs a referendum of the local populace to go ahead.

“We are not in that position and we have to keep things in perspective.

“We have to be about what we can deliver and when we can deliver and that is the message we will be getting across to UEFA.”