robg58 319 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/the-30-most-influential-figures-in-scottish-football.19936637 The 30 most influential figures in Scottish footballScottish football's movers and shakers: who really pulls the strings and shapes change and opinion in the Scottish game?The owners, the chairmen, the men with the broadcasting power, the sponsors, the politicians, the big talkers, even the managers and players: who has the power to determine what happens next and what we think about our game?Over the last three days, Herald Sport has listed the 30 most influential figures in Scottish football.This is Part III, The Top 10No.10alex salmondFirst Minister of ScotlandWhy is he important?Politicians don't tend to wade into the tribalism of domestic football as there are few votes to be gained. Old Firm fans are united, though, in their disdain for the offensive behaviour in football bill and voice it with anti-SNP chants at every game. Salmond convened a summit when Old Firm tensions spilled over two years ago, so his interventions are usually significant, but manipulative. Analysis has yet to be carried out on how independence might impact our game, if at all.Brief descriptionHearts fan with an eye for exploiting a photocall or agenda.No.9Michel PlatiniUEFA presidentWhy is he important?Makes sporadic pronouncements about Scottish football, and the Old Firm hang on every word. Celtic would have been irked at his remark that: "If we look at the Champions League draw, it's clear that Juventus are already through to the quarter-finals," but UEFA's attitude towards cross-border competitions is critical to both Glasgow sides' hopes of moving to a lucrative environment. More pre-disposed to the possibility of that happening than his predecessors.Brief descriptionSuave, worldly, with an air of disinterest.No.8gordon strachanScotland managerWhy is he important?Nothing unites the nation's football fans like the fortunes of the international side. It is a high-profile, pressurised and often thankless task. Strachan starts at such a disadvantage that qualifying for the 2014 World Cup is already highly unlikely. The fans' mood tends to reflect how Scotland are performing, so he needs to be part-psychologist, part-football coach. He is a good coach and can be charming company. But he can also be spiky so his reign is likely to be dramatic.Brief descriptionFall guy who could be a national hero.No.7neil doncasterScottish Premier League chief executiveWhy is he important?In theory he runs the top-flight, in practice the position is more about managing the demands of member clubs than critical decisions. With reconstruction proposals including a merger between SPL and SFL, there is no guarantee he will keep his job. It is a thankless task, and he has coped by adopting a bland persona. But when an SPL commission rules this month on whether Rangers' use of EBTs is punishable by stripping titles, he will enter a storm.Brief descriptionMaster of corporate platitudes, scourge of headline writers.No.6david longmuirScottish Football League chief executiveWhy is he important?His reputation was not as tarnished as those of Stewart Regan and Neil Doncaster during the tortured negotiations over Rangers' fate last summer. Indeed, if he plays the next few months right, he could emerge as a powerful figure in the new, merged league body. Generally considered a shrewd administrator, politicking might not come so readily to Longmuir, but then that kind of straightforward approach might be better for the game at a traumatic time. Surefooted steps need to be taken, although the profile and budgets of the SFL are of a smaller magnitude to the combined worth of the proposed new league. Must thrive, or he will not survive.Brief descriptionCompetent and quietly effective, but ready for the spotlight?No.5Neil LennonCeltic managerWhy is he important?In the context of the Old Firm, Lennon and his counterpart, Ally McCoist, are titans. Thousands hang on to their every word, but the rivalry is an abstract right now, with Rangers in the third division, although Lennon is not beyond the occasional curt remark about the Ibrox side.In the meantime, Lennon has been raising the profile of himself and his club. Celtic's exploits in the Champions League, most notably defeating Barcelona at Celtic Park, brought recognition from across the continent, and Lennon has been prominent in interviews with English-based newspapers and radio stations. Even Sir Alex Ferguson took time out to compliment the Celtic manager.His stock has never been higher.Brief descriptionHot property.No.4Barney FrancisSky Sports managing directorWhy is he important?Sky are the Scottish Premier League's major broadcast partner, and the income from television rights represents the majority of every club in the division's budget apart from Celtic, as well as contributing to the parachute payment to the Scottish Football League.The current deal is reportedly worth £80m across five years, although rumours persist about a clause based on viewing figures allowing renegotiation at the end of this season. Sky are pivotal to the game's future, because of the way the money is distributed, and their main interest is in the Old Firm games, which dwarf the rest of Scottish football's viewing figures. The sooner Rangers are back in the top-flight, the better as far as Sky are concerned.Brief descriptionHas Scottish football at his mercy.No.3Stewart ReganScottish Football Association chief executiveWhy is he important?The SFA are the ultimate power brokers of the Scottish game, and although there is an executive board, Regan is at the forefront of the organisation. Initially, he was a dynamic figure, sweeping aside the old committee systems to implement a modernised, streamlined organisation. But he was less surefooted in dealing with the Rangers crisis last summer and, by riling a large number of member clubs, he undermined his own authority.He has not fully recovered from that experience, and now the league reconstruction debate is moving into a critical phase. The SFA are mediating the discussions between SPL and SFL clubs, keeping Regan at the centre of the process. Has now replaced an unpopular Scotland manager with – for now – a popular one.Brief descriptionLike any other SFA chief executive . . . hoping for a slow, lingering reign.No.2charles greenRangers chief executiveWhy is he important?Rangers are in resurgence, with higher average crowds and more television viewers for their games than any other Scottish side, as well as significant funds to spend following last year's share issue. But Green is also blunt, forthright and often impetuous in his public statements. The more understated and experienced Walter Smith is now a non-executive director at Ibrox, but will Green listen to his advice?Supporters rallied to Green's no-nonsense style and willingness to stand up to the authorities, although now is the time for quieter and more subtle diplomacy and politicking, qualities that he has not yet seemed inclined to deploy. He marshals the Rangers support, though, so is one of the two most powerful figures in the game.Brief descriptionCharismatic Yorkshireman. Prepared to be Lancastrian if the money's right.No.1Peter lawwellCeltic chief executiveWhy is he important? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingWilBEARy 4,319 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 No.1Peter lawwellCeltic chief executiveWhy is he important?Well, indeed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAFKA 545 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 No.1Peter lawwellCeltic chief executiveWhy is he important?Well, indeed.One day..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WadeWilson 4,670 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 No.1Peter lawwellCeltic chief executiveWhy is he important?Well, indeed.It's top secret! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
koala bear 25 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Why Lawwell - easy he is a real live Pinochio Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WadeWilson 4,670 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Why Lawwell - easy he is a real live PinochioThought he was more like a Bunraku....? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WadeWilson 4,670 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Someone missing from the list?Handsome lad. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluepeter9 5,167 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I wondered why fans weren't collectively number 1 - but that was me just forgetting fans are neither important or influential (except as an excuse) in football Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jodz 98 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 What about ra john reid? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOriginalHobo 34 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I wondered why fans weren't collectively number 1 - but that was me just forgetting fans are neither important or influential (except as an excuse) in footballOnly when the fans want what the sfa wants Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maverick1200 2,839 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Brief descriptionCharismatic Yorkshireman. Prepared to be Lancastrian if the money's right. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingWilBEARy 4,319 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 One day.....What? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
allcinaye 336 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 What?Whit? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingWilBEARy 4,319 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Whit?Eh Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blumhoilann 6,712 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Brief descriptionCharismatic Yorkshireman. Prepared to be Lancastrian if the money's right. He will see that as the insult of the day Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluegecko 306 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Liewell? He's big in Japan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForeverBlue_Since91 2,895 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 So is Lawwell going to come out and say there paranoid? People have been saying for a while that cunt is behind alot of things and he has the cheek to say anyone is paranoid. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
covenanter 158 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Liewell? He's big in JapanWasabi is Peter's favourite lubricant, when he is BIG in Japan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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