Scottish football is understated, undersold and mired in “too much self-pity,” Barry Hearn said yesterday.

The veteran sports promoter was a keynote speaker at the Scottish Football Association’s inaugural convention at Hampden Park where he addressed guests who included representatives and officials from the clubs and the game’s governing bodies.

Hearn delivered a hard-hitting presentation, less than 24 hours after an Inverness versus St Mirren Scottish Cup replay had drawn a crowd of just 1,326.

The former Leyton Orient chairman later expressed some damning assertions, claiming in a press conference that the lack of a title sponsor for the Scottish Premiership was “disgraceful,” which would make uncomfortable listening for Scottish Professional Football League chief executive Neil Doncaster.

“There is so much good in Scottish football, so many positive things to say but you don’t sell yourself,” said Hearn.

“I am seeing too much self-pity. That’s what the world thinks of Scottish football and that should be the most worrying aspect.

“Don’t be a secret. If you don’t believe in yourself how can other people believe in you?

“The fact that the Premiership has not got a sponsor is not good. If you worked for me you would be sacked.”