Bosses in the hotel and entertainment industry have added to the growing list of names backing Hampden to remain as the home of Scottish football.

The Hilton Hotel’s boss has said visiting fans for international matches love the city and make return trips, bringing in even more revenue.

While Donald MacLeod, owner of The Garage and Cathouse, said it would be a huge loss.

Calum Ross, general manager of Hilton Glasgow, said: “I’m from a generation that has very fond memories of Hampden Park, the stadium and travelling to the stadium to watch the national team is part of being a football supporter. 

“From a business perspective I think it would be a major blow to our city to give up the National Stadium host status we have enjoyed for so long.”

The hotel manager said the economic benefits extend beyond the actual match days.

He added: “For several visitors it’s their first introduction to our city but I’d wager many return with friends and family to explore the place in ever more detail. 

“The loss of Hampden isn’t just about city economics though, as a city famous for hosting world class sporting occasions it’s a matter of pride and of civic confidence for all of us. Not just those obsessed with our national game.”

Mr MacLeod, declared an obvious business interest but said: “There would be a catastrophic economic impact inflicted on Glasgow. Fans come from all over Scotland to see international matches and cup finals, then stay on to enjoy all the city has to offer in hotels, bars, restaurants and night clubs.”

He added it should have been settled before now.

Mr MacLeod said: The SFA, football’s decision-makers, should have prepared for this day of reckoning long ago rather than letting it go to the wire, with less than two years to go in Hampden’s current contract.

“They should have come to a deal with Queen’s Park long ago. Not only would this have safeguarded the future of a historic club, one the SFA should be looking after, it would also have kicked Murrayfield’s bid into touch.” 

Meanwhile, council leader, Susan Aitken, said that the SFA must look ahead with a vision for the stadium decades into the future.

Writing in the Evening Times, Ms Aitken said: “If, as I hope it will, Hampden and not Murrayfield is announced the SFA’s choice, then it is to the next 100 years those in charge of our national game must be looking and not the last 150.”

She said council support has been offered for the Euro 2020 matches.

She added: “It’s what happens after that where we hope the SFA can step up to the plate and give us the vision for what Hampden can become in the next 10, 20 or 30 years. 

“We can’t just talk about the glory of the finals we’ve hosted in the past without discussing how we really can build on Hampden as a city asset and a catalyst for improvements.”