FORMER SPL chief executive Roger Mitchell has defended Neil Doncaster and the SPFL over the rumoured new TV deal.

He also lifted the lid on a five-point manifesto which in his eyes could've changed the financial landscape for Scottish football back in 1998.

Joining in on a social media exchange, Mitchell defended Doncaster and his ability to market the SPFL.

He replied to a criticism of his negotiating skills in relation to the apparent new TV deal. 

Mitchell said: "It's easy to me to enjoy this revival moment, but don't forget that Neil doesn't have a free hand in how he markets the rights. 

"He represents 42 clubs of totally different needs. It's all a horrendous compromise.

"It looks easy from the outside. It isn't."

Expanding, he said: "We are very different people and he is superior in many ways. 

"He has the diplomacy and political skills to suffer fools, that I've never had. 

"What annoys me with Neil is he is better than Scottish football. He has given too much of his talent up there. But he knows I think this."

He was then asked to explain why marketing of the game in Scotland appears to be poorer than it potentially could be.

He replied: "Simply, his clubs won't let Neil take risks? Need upfront money at all costs? Won't let him take the long view? Deliberately render the centre totally powerless?"

He continued: "It is impossible to respect an organisation that has presided over 40-years of its own decline (to the point of international irrelevance and ridicule) but still demands 'respect'. 

"Respect is earned in the trenches."

After some what slagging football in Scotland, one Twitter user pointed out that he oversaw part of the so called "decline".

And it was at this point that Mitchell revealed his "innavator manifesto" which has never materialised. 

He said: "Here are my four years; Atlantic League, SPL 2, no Hampden, get into British leagues and SPLTV.

"There's an innovator manifesto. Left in frustration when two clubs out of 12 said no. 

"That day is when Scottish football's fate was definitively sealed. I was their best chance.

"Scottish football missed out on the globalisation of football, turboed by social media and the smart phone. 

"Everything I did in 1998 was to try to offer some kind of bridge to the global world. 

"Stuck up there in a market of five million was clearly death. That's how it's played out."