I have the credibility and authority for the role, says new SFA Chief Exec Ian Maxwell
New Scottish Football Association chief executive Ian Maxwell insists he is up to the job of running the game in Scotland.
The former Queen's Park, St Mirren, St Johnstone and Partick Thistle defender takes up the role following a stint as Jags general manager.
Speaking at a press conference on his second day in the job, he said: I think I bring a unique understanding of football in Scotland. I've obviously played the game, I've run a club for a number of years. I've sat on boards at the SFA and SPFL and even without that I've helped with coaching my son's boys' club and I still play over-35s football on a Sunday.'
Maxwell added: "I've got a real breadth of understanding of Scottish football as a whole. It's a jump but a jump I'm definitely ready for.
"I need to back myself with the ability and skills I have got and look forward to the challenge.
"Yeah, it's a different type of organisation to (Partick Thistle) but a lot of what we do, it's similar to what we do at a club in terms of putting matches on, picking teams. We have supporters we need to look after, we have corporate partners and a lot of that is what I've lived for a large part of my life so I think I'm very well equipped to handle this.'
The game north of the border was close to being ripped apart in the wake of Rangers' financial implosion but Maxwell is determined to aid the healing process.
He said: "I think I am a leader. I have led teams from playing in them, from being in the changing room, from being an assistant manager to then running a club.
"My style is more about engagement and bringing people with us than being an old-fashioned dictator.
"It's all about moving forward. It's been a challenging time over the last number of years for Scottish football but hopefully we're coming out of the other side of that and we can go improve things for everybody.''
Maxwell - who declined to discuss the ongoing disciplinary case into the circumstances surrounding the awarding of Rangers' UEFA licence back in 2011 - also said he hopes to announce news on a new title sponsor for the national team in the coming weeks''