SFA chief gives health update on Rod Petrie

Rod Petrie has stepped down temporarily from his role as president of the Scottish FA. Picture: SNS

Rod Petrie is recovering from the health issue which forced him to step down temporarily as Scottish FA president and is expected to return to the role soon.

The former Hibs chairman, who replaced Alan McRae as Scottish FA president last year, agreed to take a ‘period of recovery’ on medical advice last month.

Petrie, 64, was unable to oversee the Scottish FA’s agm on Tuesday, with vice-president Mike Mulraney deputising.

But Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell revealed that Petrie is making positive progress.

“Rod is okay,” said Maxwell. “I’ve spoken to him a couple of times this week. He is recovering and we think he is seeing the benefits of taking a step back.

“He is the stereotypical workaholic. Getting him to take a step back for 10 minutes is a challenge, never mind a number of weeks away.

“But he sees that it is absolutely the right thing for him to do and I’m sure he will be back in his president’s position before we know it.”

Maxwell also confirmed that the Scottish Professional Football League will nominate a replacement for departing Aberdeen chief executive Duncan Fraser who is also stepping down from the Scottish FA’s main board as he takes up a new position with Uefa.