Ian Maxwell has declared he wants to inspire the nation after insisting he is ready to lead Scottish football forward.

The former Partick Thistle general manager is now responsible for shaping the game north of the border having taken over from Stewart Regan as the Scottish Football Association's new chief executive.

A former player with Queen's Park, Ross County, St Johnstone, St Mirren and Thistle, the 43-year-old claims to have a unique insight into how the sport operates.

Read more: Ian Maxwell rules out Scottish FA merger with SPFL

And he reckons his history of being a "football man" will help him ensure a brighter future as Alex McLeish's national side look to end Scotland's two-decade stint in the international wilderness.

"I think I bring a unique understanding of football in Scotland," said the retired defender, who chalked up almost 450 appearances during a 20-year playing career. I've played the game, I've run a club for a number of years.

"I've sat on boards at the SFA and SPFL and even without that I've helped with coaching my son's boys club and I still play over-35s football on a Sunday.

"It's a jump (from running Thistle) but a jump I'm definitely ready for.

"I need to back myself with the ability and skills I have got and look forward to the challenge."

Scottish football came close to being ripped apart in the wake of Rangers' financial implosion but Maxwell is determined to aid the healing process.

He said: "I think I'm a leader. I have lead teams from playing in them, from being in the changing room, from being an assistant manager to then running a club.

Read more: Ian Maxwell rules out Scottish FA merger with SPFL

"My style is more about engagement and bringing people with us than being an old-fashioned dictator.

"It's about moving forward. It's been a challenging time over the last number of years for Scottish football but hopefully we're coming out of the other side of that and can improve things for everybody.

"The Scottish FA's vision is to inspire a nation and I think that's hugely important. That's what we're here for.

"We should be inspiring a nation to engage in football whether it's playing, watching it, talking about it at school, at work or in the pub.

"Scottish football is consumed at a huge level in this county. We've got the most-watched top division per head of population in Europe.

"There is a massive focus on football and it's a huge privilege and honour to go harness that energy and drive to try to move that on."

Regan often found himself being forced to firefight as the governing body lurched from one crisis to another.

Read more: Ian Maxwell rules out Scottish FA merger with SPFL

Maxwell knows the kind of flack which was directed at his predecessor might one day arrive at his door step but he believes he can cope.

He said: "I'm under no illusions about what is ahead. I don't think anybody can answer that question (about being prepared for the scrutiny that comes with the job) until they have been doing the job for 18 months.

"Everybody can sit here and say 'I'm totally prepared for it, I can handle whatever they throw at me'. It's not that straightforward and I'm not naive enough to think that.

"I've been in football a long time and things have gone well at times and not so well at others.

"This is obviously a bigger level with more exposure but I'm as prepared as I can be."

Scotland have not qualified for a major tournament since 1998 but Maxwell believes the country stands on the edge of a breakthrough as they look towards Euro 2020.

He said: "The game-changer is qualification. It sets up everybody. And with there being games in Glasgow, it would be incredible to get there.

"With the Nations League, with the squad and the manager that we've got, I think we've got a really good chance."