The 53-year-old was handed the SFA role in 1999, and at the time was an unknown figure in football, unlike former player, agent and pundit Smith, whose appointment was due to be rubber-stamped this afternoon.

Taylor told www.uefa.com: “I think we’ve changed the organisation in Scotland quite considerably.

“The Scottish FA, I like to think, is now a much more professional organisation in terms of the range of activities and revenues that are generated than when I first arrived.”

When Taylor came to the job, there were suggestions the newly renovated Hampden might have to close due to an outstanding debt to sub-contractors.

That issue was resolved and the SFA took over management of the stadium under a lease agreement from Queen’s Park.

Taylor recalled: “We were in some difficulties with the national stadium. We’ve taken over the national stadium, we now have developed an organisation generating significant profits and revenues.”

The SFA board are also due to confirm George Peat as their new president today, replacing John McBeth whose four-year run comes to its scheduled end.

The appointments of Smith and Peat are due to be confirmed before the SFA hold their annual general meeting at Hampden.

At the AGM, member clubs will be asked to vote on proposals to scrap Scottish Cup semi-final replays.

Just 8,536 supporters watched the Hampden clash between Hibernian and Dunfermline on April 24, a third of the size of the crowd who attended the original game and almost 3,000 fewer than were at the Scottish Youth Cup final two days later.

There will also be a vote following proposals to make the cup more accessible to non-league teams.

If the proposals are passed by majority verdicts, the changes will be implemented immediately and up to four junior teams would be granted places in the first round of next season’s cup.