Hobson’s choice for new chief executive of SPFL

Any notion that the ‘new look’ Scottish Professional Football League would bring in a new era for the game has been killed stone dead with the news of the two candidates to become chief executive.

Neil Doncaster and David Longmuir will be interviewed for the post over the next ten days in what could amount to a ‘spot the difference’ competition.

The former chief executives of the SFL and SPL are battling it out for the top job and will be questioned by the newly elected eight man board of the SPFL which includes Rod Petrie of Hibs, Eric Riley of Celtic and Billy Darroch of Stenhousemuir.

Both candidates have been heavily involved in the disastrous running of Scottish football over the last 18 months with Doncaster excelling in the art of saying lots without answering any questions.

Asked about the recruitment process the former Norwich chief said: “It’s not a question of applying for the position. There are two acting chief executives and the board will be selecting one of those to take the new league body forward.

“Interviews will take place over the next 10 days or so but that’s for the board to decide who they want to lead the organisation in future.”

For his part Longmuir said: “There will be a process over the next week or so where the newly-appointed board of the SPFL will make a decision and I will enter into that process wholeheartedly.”

The 42 club set up was finally agreed late on Thursday night after concerns from SFL clubs led by Annan Athletic were allayed.

 That vote will see the Scottish Football League and the Scottish Premier League both being wound up with the SPFL emerging as the new body given the task of managing the professional game.