MacLennan at helm

Fans in the dark as to who will run out against Raith

but what the lack of public action means is it’s difficult to predict just exactly how United are going to line up against Raith.

Several positions can, barring fitness concerns, be taken as read. Cammy Bell remains undisputed first-choice keeper and deservedly so.

In front of him, while there are options, it would be a surprise if the central defensive partnership against Raith isn’t William Edjenguele and Mark Durnan. They did well last term so it’s a case of if it ain’t broke . . .

Who’ll line up in the full-back positions is less certain. On the right there’s a choice between Stewart Murdoch and Lewis Toshney, while on the left another of the new men, Tam Scobbie, and Jamie Robson are the contenders.

Ahead of them two more of the recent arrivals in Billy King and Paul McMullan will operate down the flanks and, if the manager sticks with his preferred 4-2-3-1 set-up from last season, Willo Flood will continue as one of the midfield anchors.

Then the prediction problems really start. Kid Scott Allardice could sit in beside Flood but so could the attack-minded Scott Fraser.

Although Fraser is thought of more as a “No 10”, using him deeper would allow James Keatings to take on the central role in the advanced midfield three — a position in which he’s excelled in the past.

With new striker Patrick N’Koyi still building fitness, though, it could be for now Keatings is used right up top and Fraser slots in just behind. THE Scottish Professional Football League has appointed one of the UK’s most senior media figures to replace chairman Ralph Topping.

Murdoch MacLennan will take over from Topping when he stands down on August 1.

Currently deputy chairman of Telegraph Media Group, having stood down as chief executive last month, the 68-year-old Glaswegian is also chairman of t he Press Association, an Honorary Professor at the University of Glasgow’s Adam Smith Business School and for the l ast eight years has been the Chancellor’s Assessor at the Court of the University of Glasgow.

Murdoch MacLennan He was the unanimous choice of the SPFL directors. SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “Murdoch brings with him a wealth of top-level business and media experience.”