Russell is a prominent MSP, a senior SNP strategist and the former party chief executive.

BBC: Tussle for the top

Perhaps it's because she's a Glasgow MSP with a job in the capital.

BBC: Making tracks and political points

In his final speech as presiding officer, Mr Fergusson, who has returned to parliament as a Tory MSP, Mr Fergusson said each Scottish election had delivered a first for Holyrood - a coalition government in 1999, a "rainbow parliament" of seven parties in 2003, minority government in 2007 and, now, a likely majority administration.

BBC: SNP MSP Tricia Marwick elected presiding officer