Rangers CEO James Bisgrove replaces Celtic chief in SPFL board elections

Rangers chief James Bisgrove has been elected to the SPFL board for the 2023/24 season, the league has announced.

The new Ibrox CEO will join Hibernian’s Malcolm McPherson and James MacDonald of Ross County in representing the 12 Premiership clubs after the governing body’s AGM on Monday.

Bisgrove, who replaced outgoing managing director Stewart Robertson in the summer, replaces Celtic’s Michael Nicolson in the makeup on the Premiership panel.

It comes just days after the league apologised to Rangers and chairman Douglas Park’s firm, Park’s of Hamilton amid a long-running dispute over the sponsorship deal with used car retailer cinch.

SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan announced an “independent review into [its] governance,” as part of the apology.

McPherson was appointed Hibs’ non-executive chairman in March following the death of owner Ron Gordon, whom he takes over from on the board.

MacDonald retains his position having first been elected in 2021.

The Championship will be represented by Airdrieonians’ Paul Hetherington and Graeme Mathie of Ayr United, while Leagues One and Two voted in Alastair Donald of Forfar Athletic.

Montrose’s Peter Davidson will serve as alternative director, the league said.

The representatives will sit alongside MacLennan and independent non-executive director Karyn McCluskey.

The meeting also saw Premiership clubs approve a motion from Steven Gunn of Aberdeen that required the use of a multi-ball system in league matches and all other clubs be required to notify their preferred system to the SPFL in advance of the season starting.