Redevelopment of the ground continued for over six years before it was ready to host another game. Work was painfully slow, with difficulties and controversy at every stage and every disagreement and problem seeming to make it into the national press. Many respected voices in Scottish sport and politics spoke out, some saying that the time and money being ploughed into Hampden was a waste and some suggested that the SFA should have looked more closely at other venues for a new national stadium. Yet progress was made, albeit slowly, the new North and East Stands being ready in 1993. Towards the end of 1996 the old wooden South Stand with its famous red brick exterior frontage, was demolished to make way for further redevelopment. A new cantilever roof was erected which joins the south-east and north-west corners. In the new North Stand, hospitality suites were built which now house some of the best function rooms in Scotland.
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Hampden Park was reopened in May 1999, when the new, revamped national stadium once again hosted the Scottish Cup Final, between Celtic and Rangers, in which the Ibrox side triumphed by 3-1.
The new Hampden has never been slow to take up opportunities to host alternative sporting events and even music concerts. In July 2000, controversial American boxer Mike Tyson knocked out Lou Savarese in just 38 seconds in an extremely high-profile heavyweight-boxing bout at Hampden. Tyson's visit to Scotland itself had not been without controversy and the organisers and stadium authorities came in for stinging criticism from many quarters for inviting Tyson, a convicted rapist, to Glasgow.
However, Hampden Park received the highest endorsement in May 2002, when Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen ran out to compete in the UEFA Champions League Final. The return of Real Madrid to Hampden stirred many memories for older fans, who could recall that famous final of 1960. The Spanish Conquistadors, with their galaxy of world famous stars once again tasted European glory at Hampden, on this occasion triumphing 2-1 over their German opponents.
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Huge sell-out concerts have been a regular occurrence at Hampden since its reopening, with the likes of Tina Turner, U2 and Rod Stewart being amongst the internationally renowned superstars who have performed there in recent years.
These have doubtless added to Hampden's reputation as an international arena as well as keeping the financial wheels oiled and ensuring that Hampden remains functioning.
Whether you love Hampden, or hate it, it seems that the old Mount Florida stadium, albeit in a modernised form, is likely to be around for some time to come.
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