Sporting digest: Football

The Scottish Football Association yesterday named David Taylor the 45-year-old businessman as their new chief executive and secretary. Taylor, currently director of Scottish Trade International, replaces Jim Farry, who was dismissed in March.

Kieran McAnespie, the St Johnstone midfielder, has pulled out of the Scotland under-21 squad for next week's triangular tournament and the European Championship qualifier with the Czech Republic because of an Achilles injury.