SCOTTISH rugby bosses are set for key talks with building giants Miller Developments in a bid to resolve an impasse which they claim threatens prospects for major international events taking place at Murrayfield.
Following last night's annual meeting of the SRU where club delegates were told of newly-gained financial stability – a debt which once peaked at £23 million is now under £15 million – chief executive Gordon McKie addressed an issue which threatens
to hamper progress.
This relates to a deal done in June 2004 when the SRU had lost £8.6million and involved giving Miller an option on parts of the stadium land.
McKie would not specify how much land is involved or where it is located within the Murrayfield site "for reasons of confidentiality".
But, extricating Scottish Rugby from the commitment in a business-like and mutually agreeable fashion is now a priority.
Refusing to criticise the previous administration, McKie said: "It is easy with hindsight.
"It was probably the right think to do. The bank was putting great pressure on the SRU, which was in disarray.
"They had to demonstrate to the bank they had an asset that would allow their debt to be reduced and that was the deal that was done."
In January 2004, the Evening News revealed SRU bosses were looking at a brownfield site near Bannockburn for a national rugby stadium which would allow Murrayfield to be demolished.
McKie was keen to look ahead saying that matters could be resolved "through discussion and negotiation and trying to be professional." Concerns are based on the loss of two pitches under the trams and Water of Leith flood defence projects which will reduce the number of back pitches from six to four and eliminate a traditional car parking site.
McKie said: "It is an important transaction I need to alert members to because it could thwart our strategy to bring global events here."
Playing down the impact of the Miller's deal, McKie said: "Basically, we are less inclined to develop land around Murrayfield.
"Miller have an option over certain parts ... but they would not get planning permission unless we were to support it. Planners don't normally over-rule national governing bodies, I would have thought.
"At the moment, we have a contract. We are abiding by that contract.
"I think they understand our position but equally they know they have a contract with us."
Recently, the SRU have been linked with top-class American Football and Rugby League events.
McKie added: "There could be an issue if we can't deliver all the land around Murrayfield because Miller's wish to do something with it.
"Miller's option entitles them to pursue development strategy which would ultimately require our consent."
It also emerged that McKie will spend much of this year in consultations, with broadcasting deals to be resolved and replacements found in the national team's coaching set-up now that Frank Hadden has been backed to continue as head coach.
Broadcasting matters were thrown sharply into focus when no television coverage was given to Scotland's recent tour of Argentina.
Stressing that the rights lay with the host organisation and that if they did not wish to sell them there was nothing that could be done, McKie spoke of the need now for a "robust broadcasting strategy" in the wake of Argentinian "disappointment" especially as Scotland won the second Test.
He said: "We are going to be talking to all the various channels and looking at all possibilities.
"Do we put things together or individually? The key issue is to get coverage of more of Scottish rugby.
"Contracts need to be renegotiated 12-18 months before expiry. We are in that market place."
An imminent task for McKie will be to meet with Hadden next week to plan ahead and eliminating all speculation about the national coach's future, he said: "Frank has the complete support of the dressing-room. He is respected.
"Scotland played extremely well in the second Test in Argentina which I attended and we would like them to play extremely well more often but Frank is not reviewed after every game.
"We are definitely looking at injecting additional coaching resources to the national team.
"Andy Robinson and Sean Lineen were seconded from Edinburgh and Glasgow and we do not want them distracted from those teams although they will still be involved in some capacity.
Asked when he became convinced that Hadden should continue, McKie said: "Frank is the best guy to lead Scotland at this time."
The full article contains 765 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
