McRae new president in Scotland

Alan McRae has been elected as the new president of the Scottish Football Association (SFA) at the body's annual general meeting. The former chairman of Cove Rangers FC succeeds Campbell Ogilvie, who has stepped down after four years and two terms of office.

"I am honoured to have been elected president by the members of the Scottish FA and I am extremely excited that the first official engagement will be such a massive qualifier," said McRae, whose first official duty will be to lead Scotland's delegation to Dublin for this weekend's UEFA EURO 2016 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.

McRae joined Cove Rangers as a player in 1979. Within five years, he had become chairman, leading the Aberdeenshire club from the amateur sector to the Highland League. He relinquished his chairmanship in 1999, becoming president and then honorary president until 2007, when he left to commit more time to his work at the SFA.

It was his presidency of the Highland League which precipitated his involvement in the SFA, originally as a council member in 1993 and then as first vice-president. His elevation to the role of president means McRae will now also head up the SFA's Professional Game Board.

Qualification for UEFA EURO 2016 is a cherished target for the new SFA president, with Scotland currently lying third in Group D. "If we can [qualify], it would be a fitting tribute to the memory of the late [former SFA chief executive and UEFA General Secretary] David Taylor. It would be fantastic if Scotland could take their place in France next summer."