McLeish, 69, believes football has to “re-engage with the outside world”

Henry McLeish, who served briefly as first minster of Scotland and led a review into the game in 2010, has emerged as a candidate to become chief executive of the Scottish Football Asscociation.

Former Old Firm players Jackie McNamara and Dave MacKinnon, along with Leeann Dempster, the CEO at Hibernian, are also believed to be on a shortlist to succeed Stewart Regan who resigned a week ago.

It is thought McLeish has considerable support within the Hampden headquarters of the governing body who were thrown into further disarray yesterday when Andrew McKinlay, interim chief executive, resigned.

McNamara won 33 caps for Scotland between 1996 and 2005 CRAIG FOY/SNS

McKinlay is to take up a similar role with Scottish Golf, just days after stepping up following Regan’s sudden departure. The development leaves the SFA looking for a chief