Hibs chairman Rod Petrie defends role with SFA

Rod Petrie has mounted a stiff defence of his dual role as chairman of Hibs and one of the leading figures at the SFA dealing with the financial meltdown at Rangers.

Petrie is well aware he’s taken flack from those unable to distinguish between his position at the head of the Easter Road board and that of being second vice-president of the SFA.

Today he insisted there was no conflict, citing how legendary Hibs chairman Harry Swan found himself in a similar position 60 years ago while insisting the Edinburgh club should be proud of having such a position of influence within Hampden today.

He said: “First and foremost I am chairman of Hibs. I have a board of directors who are charged with doing what is right for the club and taking it forward, and my job as chairman is to lead the board. Whenever I go along to SPL meetings, meetings of clubs, then I go as chairman of Hibs and I will vote the way the club thinks is right. Before many of the meetings which have taken place, the board has met and given its view and we have always tried to be straightforward and tell supporters what our views were.

“Sometimes people questioned whether we would follow through and vote the way we said we would, but on every occasion we have. I am not on the board of the SPL, I stood down in 2011 after I was appointed second vice president of the SFA after 60 per cent of Scottish football voted for me.

“I am on the board of the SFA, the chairman of the professional game board, and I have a role to play in terms of the SFA’s consideration of matters. It is absolutely right and important the SFA looks at every aspect of things that are unfolding within football but also takes the lead and tries to give a strategy and leadership.

“I am involved in a lot of those discussions and I think that it is great for the football club that we have that involvement and that engagement.”