I’M NO PUPPET
Maxwell claims he’ll be his own man at the SFA
NEW SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell last night insisted he has not been installed as a puppet for Scotland’s top clubs.
At his unveiling yesterday, the former Partick Thistle CEO denied claims he is merely a Trojan horse in a political power grab by Celtic’s Peter Lawwell and key allies from other SPFL outfits.
Speaking in February this year, Parkhead chief Lawwell called for a revamp of the way the SFA is run, with clubs keen to streamline the functions and scope of the governing body.
In the short term, the appointment of Maxwell, 43, should improve relations between the league and SFA after years of squabbling.
However, ex-St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour has suggested he is being used as a political tool to strengthen the power base of Celtic and other big clubs.
Responding to those claims,
Maxwell said: ‘Stewart Robertson of Rangers was absolutely delighted I got the job and, whether he is as vocal as Peter about it, is down to him. But it’s not about Rangers or Celtic. ‘The clubs have an idea of who they want in charge and if they think I’m the guy then that’s great. ‘If the SPFL clubs have an idea of the skillset and abilities they think the chief executive of the SFA should have, and think I’ve got them, I don’t see how that can be a negative. ‘I can’t get my head round how that can be a bad thing. ‘It’s got to be a good thing that they know the guy running the association can see it from their point of view. ‘Because I am coming from a club, there was always going to be the SPFL element to it, but it’s nothing to do with that. ‘It’s more about the right guy at the right time to do what is needed to be done ‘It’s a real privilege that a few people have come out and said really good things about me. ‘The vast majority of the coverage has been really, really positive. ‘I’m taking a lot of pride in that and a lot of credit. It’s a really good position to be in. ‘I’ve always made decisions at the right time for the right reasons and that will never change.’ Formerly a member of the SFA
board, Maxwell stood down in a quest to pursue the post of chief executive. Replaced by SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster, the clubs now hold a 5-3 majority on most issues, neutering the influence of a so-called old guard featuring president Alan McRae and Hibernian chairman Rod Petrie. Asked to address claims his appointment was part of a carve-up involving Petrie and McRae landing Alex McLeish as Scotland boss in return for the clubs getting Maxwell as chief executive, he responded: ‘Absolutely not. ‘I was on the appointment committee for Alex and that was never mentioned at any point. ‘So I don’t know where that’s come from. ‘The board are absolutely delighted that Alex is the manager. ‘Alex McLeish is fully supported by the board, everyone is delighted that we’ve got him and we’re looking forward to the friendlies that are coming up and the games in the summer.’ A former player with Queen’s Park, Ross County, St Johnstone, St Mirren and Thistle, Maxwell left the Firhill club a day after their relegation to the Championship. Facing key challenges over the future of Hampden, sponsorship and the ongoing enquiry into the granting of a European licence to Rangers in 2011, Maxwell believes he is the right man for the job. ‘I think I’m a leader,’ he insisted. ‘I’ve led teams from playing in them, coaching them and then recently leading a club. ‘I engage. I communicate really well. That’s a massive part of this job. It’s about how you engage with stakeholders across the board. It’s about taking them on a journey and getting them to come with us, getting the staff to buy into it and see where we are at the end of that journey. ‘I’m comfortable leading. I’m happy to be the guy who is directing. There is a lot of good staff here and I’m not here to do their job. ‘I’m here to help them and make sure we are going in the right direction.’