Could Hearts and Hibs use BT Murrayfield to increase crowds next season - Scottish Rugby confirm talks

Talks have been held between Scottish Rugby and Edinburgh clubs

BT Murrayfield could be used by Hearts and Hibs next season. Picture: SNS

Hearts and Hibs could use BT Murrayfield next season in a move which could allow more fans to attend games.

The 2020/21 Premiership campaign is expected to begin in August behind closed doors with the Championship to follow in October.

There is a hope that partial crowds will be able to return to grounds before 2021, as long as social distancing measures are followed.

Scottish Rugby confirmed to the Daily Mail that they have held talks with Capital football teams about using Murrayfield.

With it’s 67,000 capacity it could allow for more fans to attend games than at Tynecastle or Easter Road.

The ground has been used by Hearts a number of times since 2004, while the SPFL used it for a Betfred Cup semi final between the Gorgie side and Celtic.

It also played host to Celtic in Champions League qualification.

SRU Chief Operating Officer Dominic McKay said: “We have spoken to various football teams in Edinburgh about potentially utilising our facility in the season ahead and we would be happy to do that if that is right for them and it is right for us.

“I have said consistently we have to collaborate. We are all in this together as sports, and as a society in Scotland.

"If sport can collaborate, football can play at BT Murrayfield to restart their sport and that helps our sport restart in many ways.

“If we can share the best practice in league games both in rugby and football and share with our colleagues and help sport start at grass roots level, too, then we must do that.

“It lends itself to that in terms of the shape, the size and the scale of it, so you can imagine socially distancing for a football crowd would be easier at BT Murrayfield than at a smaller, tighter venue.

“We have got to offer everyone a helping hand and we are keen to do that.”