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Hampden clash brings cash bonanza Hampden clash brings cash bonanza
(about 23 hours later)
Scotland's do-or-die Euro 2008 qualifying match with Italy will be worth £8m to the Glasgow economy, economists have predicted. Scotland's do-or-die Euro 2008 qualifying match with Italy will be worth up to £8m to the Glasgow economy, according to consultants DTZ.
Researchers at DTZ made the calculation using the same formula that assessed benefits of big games from previous SFA and Uefa matches. The calculation was based on the income from previous big games.
Every hotel room in the city - 17,000 in total - has been booked, according to the tourist office, which expects 34,000 supporters from outside Glasgow.
The local licensing board has extended opening on Saturday by one hour for bars across the city.
The Tartan Army is also expected to gamble a record £10m as anticipation of the encounter reaches fever pitch.The Tartan Army is also expected to gamble a record £10m as anticipation of the encounter reaches fever pitch.
Scotland must win the game to guarantee qualification for next year's finals. Scotland must win the game to guarantee qualification for next year's finals in Austria and Switzerland.
Russell Whyte, senior economist at consultancy firm DTZ Scotland, said the economic boost from new visitors to the city would support the equivalent of 200 job for a full year.
If Scotland beat Italy the Tartan Army will carry McLeish to Buckingham Palace on their shoulders, tearing down the Wembley Arch on the way Robin HutchisonLadbrokesIf Scotland beat Italy the Tartan Army will carry McLeish to Buckingham Palace on their shoulders, tearing down the Wembley Arch on the way Robin HutchisonLadbrokes
He added: "Since spending will be concentrated over a single weekend, this will also result in additional work or bonus payments for several thousand jobs in the city. Russell Whyte, senior economist at DTZ Scotland, said: "It's a win-win situation for the Glasgow economy even if Scotland fails to beat Italy at Hampden Park on Saturday evening."
"It's a win-win situation for the Glasgow economy even if Scotland fails to beat Italy at Hampden Park on Saturday evening." Glasgow City Marketing Bureau put the windfall at £6.6m.
The £8m estimate is £1m more than the £7m the Edinburgh economy was boosted by Barcelona's pre-season match with Hearts at Murrayfield this summer. Chief executive Scott Taylor said: "The economic impact is tremendous, the whole of the city is buzzing.
"These type of events platform Glasgow on a global stage ...this helps put Glasgow on the map.
"I thinks it's the biggest emotional game Glasgow has ever hosted. This has the hearts and minds of Scotland behind it."
Two sons
Bookmakers believe the game will also smash all betting records for any match in any sport involving Scotland.Bookmakers believe the game will also smash all betting records for any match in any sport involving Scotland.
The previous record of £5m was held by Scotland's Euro 2000 play-off game with England at Hampden in 1999.The previous record of £5m was held by Scotland's Euro 2000 play-off game with England at Hampden in 1999.
Tartan underwear
Among William Hill's more unusual bets are Alex McLeish wearing a kilt for the game at 8/1, a Scotland player celebrating scoring by removing his shorts to reveal tartan underwear at 33/1 and a Scotland player to celebrate scoring by removing his shirt revealing a pro independence T-shirt 50/1.
Ladbrokes are offering 50/1 odds on Alex McLeish being knighted while they also offer a 40/1 punt on Prime Minister Gordon Brown being spotted at Hampden wearing a Scotland strip.
Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "If Scotland beat Italy the Tartan Army will carry McLeish to Buckingham Palace on their shoulders, tearing down the Wembley Arch on the way."Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "If Scotland beat Italy the Tartan Army will carry McLeish to Buckingham Palace on their shoulders, tearing down the Wembley Arch on the way."
Meanwhile, rock group Runrig, who are to perform three songs during half-time at Hampden, have officially launched their Loch Lomond single in aid of Children in Need. The tickets for the Italy match sold out to supporters club members
Scotland's hopes are resting on the shoulders of Alex McLeish Rock group Runrig have officially launched their Loch Lomond single in aid of the BBC's Children in Need and in support of Scotland's Hampden clash.
And the final 670 tickets for the Tartan Party on Glasgow Green were sold out in only two minutes. They have pulled out of performing at the match.
The initial 6,000 tickets for the party had been made available earlier in the week and were bought in three minutes. Their manager Steve Cullen said the band had flown in on Friday from a tour date in Germany but had not been able to transport enough equipment back.
More than 6,000 people who could not get hold of tickets for the match will attend a Tartan Party on Glasgow Green.
Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "This is the biggest Scotland match for a decade or more.Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "This is the biggest Scotland match for a decade or more.
"Everyone will want to see the boys beat Italy and I want to ensure that as many people as possible can share the atmosphere.""Everyone will want to see the boys beat Italy and I want to ensure that as many people as possible can share the atmosphere."
Award-winning pizza chef Domenico Crolla, who is Scottish-born with Italian parents, has created a half-Scottish half-Italian pizza. James McNally, convener of the local licensing board, said: "The licensing board, in recognition of the party atmosphere in the city, will allow an extra opening hour to all those premises which have applied."
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service said all of its appliances would be flying Saltire and Lion Rampant flags on Friday and Saturday to show support for the team and raise money for charity.
Meanwhile, award-winning pizza chef Domenico Crolla, who is Scottish-born with Italian parents, has created a half-Scottish half-Italian pizza.
The pizza features a whisky sauce base, Scottish cheddar, smoked salmon, grouse and Aberdeen Angus on the Scottish half, with tomato, mozzarella, Parma ham, salami and pepperoni on the Italian.The pizza features a whisky sauce base, Scottish cheddar, smoked salmon, grouse and Aberdeen Angus on the Scottish half, with tomato, mozzarella, Parma ham, salami and pepperoni on the Italian.
Domenico said: "It's like having two sons playing on opposite sides of the same match, you don't want either of them to win. You know either way one of them is going to get hurt."Domenico said: "It's like having two sons playing on opposite sides of the same match, you don't want either of them to win. You know either way one of them is going to get hurt."
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service said all of its appliances would be flying Saltire and Lion Rampant flags on Friday and Saturday to show support for the team and raise money for charity.
But Renfrewshire Council chiefs have been criticised for scheduling Paisley's Christmas lights switch-on only minutes before the game.
Fears have been raised that the town's pre-Christmas festival could turn out to be a disaster because the streets may be deserted during the big match.