John Rankin appointed as PFA Scotland chairman

NEW Professional Footballers Association Scotland chairman John Rankin has urged players to put their trust in the union as they fight to get a better deal from clubs.

The Dundee United midfielder has taken over as the PFA Scotland figurehead from former St Mirren defender Jack Ross.

He now heads the union’s management committee which is responsible for gauging the opinion of pros at all levels of the senior game on matters affecting their employment conditions.

Rankin has told his members that the union is ready to do their bidding, no matter how “big or small” the issue is.

He said: “I am delighted to accept the role as new chairman of PFA Scotland. I have been a member of the management committee for a number of years now and have always been an active member of PFA Scotland.

“Undoubtedly the profile of PFA Scotland has increased in recent years and I therefore feel that my role will involve a lot more communication than before and will see me become a spokesman and representative for my fellow professionals.

“Players must be acutely aware of the important role that the management committee plays in representing player opinion as we are liaising regularly with players at their respective levels to allow them to get their opinions across, air any grievances they have, or simply highlight areas they feel need to be developed such as access to training courses, appeals procedures etc.

“If I could get a message to players in Scotland with regards PFA Scotland it would simply be that their union is there for them, no matter how big or small the issue.

“Everyone has a part to play in making it better for the future. Remember the more we put in, the more we get back out.”

PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart wished Rankin luck in his new role, insisting that he was the right man for 
the job.

He said: “The appointment of John Rankin as the new chairman of PFA Scotland is one which everyone within the players’ union is very excited about.

“It is vitally important that this role is filled by a player with the ability to provide a link between players and those who work for them.

“As someone who recognises the need for a strong players’ union, John is the ideal candidate, is someone who will relish the responsibility of the role and who will undoubtedly prove to be an excellent chairman.”