Scotland Men's Football Team

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Former Rangers academy director Craig Mulholland has been named the Scottish FA's new chief football officer.

The 57-year-old moves back to the governing body having served as English Premier League club Nottingham Forest's head of football development and talent management.

This will be his second spell with the SFA after starting out as a football development officer before progression to senior youth development officer more than 20 years ago.

He then joined Scottish Premiership outfit Rangers, were he spent nine years as academy director.

"I am delighted to be joining the Scottish FA at a critical time for the game in our country, which I care passionately about," Mulholland said.

"We have the World Cup to look forward to and that excitement brings the ideal opportunity to implement positive change throughout all areas of our game, building on the many strengths we have as a nation.

"I have loved my time working in the Premier League, where every day you are exposed to the world's best players and coaches.

"But, when I heard the desire and willingness from Mike [Mulraney], as president, and Ian [Maxwell], as CEO, to really implement an exciting period of growth and change here in Scotland, it was something I was excited about, delighted to accept and privileged to be asked to lead."

Chief executive Maxwell added: "We're delighted to have Craig on board. He was the outstanding candidate from a thorough process.

"This is a critical role within the Scottish FA – and Scottish football in general – so we wanted to make sure that we took our time to find the right individual who can help drive improvements across the board."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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There is "a very high possibility" Lawrence Shankland will be handed the captain's armband should he complete his move to Rangers from Hearts, according to former Ibrox centre-half Colin Hendry.

The 30-year-old Scotland striker is expected to make the switch despite agreeing a new contract last summer at Tynecastle, where he has worn the skippers' armband.

Speaking at Hampden Park as he helped launch next month's Refugee World Cup, Hendry said: "He's more than equipped to lead and and that would be a statement right away.

"I would think there'd be a very high possibility of him becoming the captain. I think if you were to talk about how well he did at Hearts in that role then I think a lot of people would say that he's been successful and able to cope with that and everything that's thrown at you in relation to that position and that situation."

As much as Hendry is confident Shankland will thrive it Ibrox, he nonetheless says "it's a shock" to see the move so close to completion so quickly after the end of the domestic season.

"First of all, he'd re-signed for Hearts last season," the former Scotland defender added. "I've spoken to a couple of people there that know more about it and there was a clause that he could leave.

"It would be Danny Rohl's first signing of the summer window and I think it would be great for Rangers. He would be a great asset to Rangers if they get the signature.

"To get him signed prior to going to the World Cup would be good as well because everybody's at ease and then you know it's finished - you know it's all tied up. It's a big, big coup for Rangers. "

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Listen as The Herald journalist Stephen McGowan and Arbroath midfielder Ryan Flynn discuss Oli McBurnie's absence from Scotland's World Cup squad with Scottish Football Podcast host Ray Bradshaw.

McGowan suggests that, although McBurnie has had a good season helping Hull City win promotion to the Premier League, the striker just has to "suck it up" as he is "no Kenny Dalglish".

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Lennon Miller is "disappointed" but philosophical about missing out on Scotland's World Cup squad and is eyeing more game time with Udinese next season to improve his future cap chances.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who has four senior appearances, made his 11th start since last summer's transfer from Motherwell as his side lost 1-0 away to Napoli on Sunday to finish 10th in the Serie A table.

Asked by BBC Alba about missing this summer's World Cup, Miller said: "It was obviously disappointing not to get in the squad, but the manager's got such a tough job to pick 26 people and I know that the midfield has so many good players and it's probably the hardest place to get into.

"So it was disappointing, but I'll be rooting for the boys in the summer and hopefully we can do really well."

Most of Miller's 26 Udinese appearances have come as a substitute, so he was pleased to finish the season with a starting place.

"I knew it was going to be difficult coming to such a good league," he admitted.

"I was never going to come in and play every single minute like I did at Motherwell, but I've become such a better player and a better person.

"I'll look to next season and hopefully play more than I have this year and do well."

Scott McTominay again started for Napoli while fellow Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour came on as a substitute shortly before half-time as the defending champions' win made sure they finished runners-up, three points ahead of Roma.

However, despite Rasmus Hojlund's early goal, and centre-back Christian Kabasele's red card after 64 minutes, they were made to work hard for the win by visitors for whom Miller played all but four minutes of stoppage time.

Napoli finish 11 points behind Internazionale, who ended their campaign with a 3-3 draw on Saturday away to a Bologna side for whom Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson played the whole game.

Bologna finish eighth, one place outside the European qualification places.

Meanwhile, Scotland striker Che Adams came off the bench shortly after half time to secure a point for 12th-placed Torino with six minutes remaining of their 2-2 draw at home to sixth-top Juventus.

Left-back Josh Doig was an unused substitute as Sassuolo lost 1-0 away to Parma to finish 11th.

Hull City striker Oli McBurnie insists there are "no hard feelings" between himself and Scotland head coach Steve Clarke after he was left out of their World Cup squad. (The National), external

Former Rangers head coach Russell Martin has travelled to both Italy and Spain to speak to clubs over managerial roles, but the former Scotland defender is also wanted by Leicester City after their relegation to League One. (Alan Nixon on Patreon), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Dundee defender Luke Graham has been included in Scotland's World Cup pre-camp training squad.

The 22-year-old has featured for Scotland Under-21s but is yet to make his senior international debut.

Graham, who missed out on a place in Steve Clarke's 26-man squad for the finals, will train with Scotland before the squad depart for the United States.

Clarke's side host Curacao in a farewell friendly at Hampden on 30 May then head to the US where they will play Bolivia in their final pre-World Cup friendly.

Graham has had an impressive domestic season with Steven Pressley's side. The centre-back has made 40 appearances and scored three goals as Dundee finished eighth.

Graham's form has led to links with a number of clubs, including Rangers, over a move away from Dens Park this summer.

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Former Celtic, Hearts and Scotland player Mike Galloway has died at the age of 60.

Galloway joined Hearts from Halifax Town for £60,000 in 1987 and went on to make 86 appearances for the Tynecastle club, scoring 22 goals.

Comfortable in defence or midfield, Galloway helped Hearts to a runners-up finish in the top flight in 1987-88.

He shone the following season in their run to the Uefa Cup quarter-finals - which remains Hearts' best European campaign.

Galloway moved in 1989 to Celtic where he played 160 games, although honours eluded him during a fallow period for the club.

England-born Galloway earned one cap for Scotland, in a 1-0 defeat to Romania in a European qualifier in 1991.

Following a brief loan spell with Leicester City, his playing career ended at Celtic in 1995 following a near-fatal car crash. He later had coaching stints with Tranent Juniors, Wooler, Coldstream, Berwick United and Eyemouth United.

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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke is close to agreeing a new contract to stay as national team boss until Euro 2028. (The Times - subscription required), external

At £8.7m, Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller is the most valuable player left out of Scotland's World Cup squad. (Transfermarkt), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.