Henry McLeish says he is looking forward to his new role

Former Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish says he is "honoured" after agreeing to chair a review of how Scottish football operates.

McLeish said he hoped to finalise his role with the Scottish Football Review committee in the coming weeks.

"I've played the game, I've been involved in it and love it with a passion," he told BBC Scotland.

Issues expected to be discussed include league reconstruction, governing bodies and a possible winter shutdown.

SFA chief executive George Peat unveiled his own blueprint for sweeping changes to Scotland's national sport in December, when he questioned the need for three bodies to run the game.

I was in politics for 30 years and it was a fantastic day-job - I love representing people. But my real passion is football Henry McLeish

Scottish football is currently run under the auspices of the SFA, the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League.

And Peat said he was pleased "that someone with Henry's knowledge and experience has agreed to take forward this review of the Scottish game".

McLeish, who served as First Minister for just over a year following the death of Donald Dewar, quit the job in 2001 after a controversy over expenses for his Westminster constituency office.

He said he was relishing the prospect of taking up his new role, adding: "I look forward to the challenges ahead. This is a game with a big future and I'm just delighted that the SFA has asked me to be part of looking to that future.

"I was in politics for 30 years and it was a fantastic day-job - I love representing people. But my real passion is football."

McLeish, who played at full-back for East Fife in the 1960s, said there was a real family affair at the club.

"At the new Bayview I have a picture of my grandfather who played in the same position, for the same club between 1909/13.

"So, for a variety of reasons, this is a big day in my life and I'm looking forward to it."

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