HAMPDEN Park was slammed by food hygiene inspectors over the state of its kitchens.

A series of food safety breaches were discovered at Scottish football's national stadium during a check by council officials.

They included dirty fridges, trays, wall tiles and taps which the inspectors said needed cleaning.

The damning report of the failed inspection also revealed several of the food preparation work surfaces were crumbling with missing tiles, broken doors, and damaged flooring and walls.

Water was found to be leaking from underneath the dishwasher and coffee machine and wash hand basins did not have dispensers for drying hands.

An open drain pipe was also found in the 'Nevis' kitchen next to the walk in chill and bosses were ordered to seal it to prevent pests getting into the area.

Damaged insulation and electrical wires were also found in one of the kitchens and it was noted that water from taps was so hot that it risked scalding staff.

The inspectors also ordered catering bosses to replace 'badly scored' chopping boards, missing wooden panels in the kitchen and pastry area, missing ceiling tiles and damaged and torn fly screens.

Hampden's facilities are used for fans and corporate clients during Scotland games and concerts by acts like Beyonce and Ed Sheeran, with hospitality packages costing up to £3,300.

The hygiene team from Glasgow City Council inspected the kitchens serving the hospitality suites and the food kiosks in the stadium.

The kitchens are run by Sodexo Prestige Events, part of the Sodexo catering group.

The inspection by council officers was carried out in June but has only now been made public.

The stadium failed to meet food hygiene standards and was issued with an "improvement required" certificate. The inspectors revisited the premises and gave them a pass after ensuring they had cleaned up their act.

Dining facilities at Hampden include the Millennium, Lomond and Nevis suites, which can host up to 500 people, and a cafe.

In 2011, the kitchens at Hampden also failed an inspection after a litany of failings were identified.

At that time faults pointed out included out-of-date food and staff who didn't know they had to wash their hands.

A head chef with no food hygiene training was employed, bins were uncovered and shoes and trainers were left lying in food preparation areas.

A Sodexo spokesman said: "At Sodexo we take health and safety very seriously. After the inspection by Glasgow City Council in June, we immediately addressed the points raised.

"We invited the Environmental Health Officers back as soon as convenient in August and upon second inspection we received a ‘pass’."

Peter Dallas, managing director of Hampden Park Limited, a subsidiary company of the SFA who operate the stadium, said: "We are satisfied our catering partner addressed the recommendations immediately upon receipt to the complete satisfaction of the regulatory authorities."

Across Scotland, other stadiums have come under fire in the past.

In 2016, Celtic and Rangers were also shown the yellow card by food hygiene bosses who inspected their stadium kitchens.

Inspectors who visited Ibrox and Celtic Park uncovered a number of food safety breaches and told the Old Firm clubs to clean up their act.

The teams from Glasgow City Council discovered cold pies, dirty and crumbling food preparation areas and faulty equipment at the grounds.

Both clubs received a pass in their hygiene inspection reports but did receive a number of recommendations on how to improve food safety in their kitchens.