NEIL Doncaster's tenures as chief executive of both the SPL and the SPFL have unquestionably been complicated by events entirely outwith his control.

The absence of Rangers from the top flight of Scottish football for the first time since the SFL was formed and a league format introduced in 1890 has presented unprecedented challenges.

The relegation of both Hearts and Hibs to the second tier last year further exacerbated what was an already difficult situation.

The governing body has been unable to attract a suitable title sponsor for its flagship league without three of its best-supported clubs.

Yet, Doncaster has also presided over a series of unfortunate episodes which the diminished state of the Premiership has had no bearing on whatsoever.

The quite staggering scheduling of the final round of fixtures in the Championship was just the latest error to reflect badly on one of the senior administrators in the country.

Even though the decision has now, mercifully, been reversed, serious questions must once again be asked of his suitability to continue in his role.

The outcry last week that greeted the revelation that Rangers would take on Hearts the day after Hibs played Falkirk so the game could be screened live by Sky Sports was understandable.

A child with a basic grasp of arithmetic would have recognised the arrangement gave the Ibrox club a significant unfair advantage over their main rivals for the runners-up spot.

Stuart McCall's side is four points clear in second place. Alan Stubbs' team has a game in hand. Their goal differences are currently identical.

The quest to avoid the first two matches in the play-offs and so increase the likelihood of winning promotion, then, promises to go right down to the very last kick of the ball.

For the Rangers players to know what result or what margin of victory would secure them a semi-final place as they took to the field at Tynecastle - as would have happened if the original ill-judged plan had been allowed to remain in place - would have made a mockery of nine months of competition.

It was hardly unexpected when several clubs criticised a move that seriously compromised sporting integrity. The initial response from the sixth floor of Hampden to those protestations, though, bordered on indignation. "It is not clear to us why this has caused so much surprise," a statement read.

Talk about being completely out of touch with the views of your member clubs and paying customers!

It was not just the absurdity of the original ruling or the stubborn refusal to address the justifiable concerns which were subsequently voiced which defied belief. No, it was the condescending tone used.

Ann Budge, the owner of Championship winners Hearts, nailed it as she reacted to with a mixture of bafflement and concern to developments.

"I took issue with some of the language used," said Budge. "There were one or two things said which I felt underestimated the significance of the nature of the situation.

"I do find it very strange the way decisions are made. We really need to look at the way Scottish football is being run."

But is it now time, too, to look closely at who is helping to run Scottish football?

Doncaster is not some all-powerful despot who issues decrees from up high of his own volition. Quite the opposite. He is ultimately a paid employee whose job is to implement the wishes of the SPFL board.

However, his remit must also include advising on the most sensible course of action and ensuring damaging rows like the one that erupted last week are avoided. This latest sorry debacle was not an isolated incident on his watch.

Failing to bring in a suitable commercial backer to replace either the Clydesdale Bank or Irn Bru - whose contracts expired two long years ago now - has not instilled great faith in his stewardship.

Surely some sort of agreeable deal could have been struck to sponsor a league that Celtic have won for the past three seasons given the size of their fan base and interest in their domestic exploits across the globe.

How could a company not have been persuaded to, even in these austere times, pay an acceptable amount to have its name associated with what promised to be a fascinating division comprising Hearts, Hibs and Rangers?

Barry Hearn, the outspoken sports promoter, was scathing on this subject when he addressed the inaugural SFA Convention at Hampden back in December. "If you worked for me you'd be sacked," he told those in attendance.

Having helped to transform darts and snooker from the preserves of smoky working men's clubs they once were into the modern multi-million pound industries they are today, Hearn is a man worth listening to.

It may be time to appoint an individual capable of performing similar magic in Scottish football at this crucial juncture.

A manager is sacked when his team loses a run of games. A player is freed when he is unable to perform consistently to the required standard. An official should not be above such a fate.