THE launch of the Keep It Clean initiative to report any evidence of match-fixing shows how serious the chief executive Stewart Regan and Co at the SFA and the SPFL are to nip this potential problem in the bud.

In all my time as a player, manager, chief scout and even a fan, I can honestly say I've never come across anything which raised my suspicion there may be match-fixing taking place.

I hope I'm not just being naive, but I really believe it's alien to the Scottish mentality.

Sure, many people like a punt, and, as so many of us believe we know something about football, betting on matches is very popular.

But the message is now being delivered loud and clear to players that they can't join in this activity.

This season we've had the case of Ian Black, who was suspended for placing bets on matches.

And only yesterday Ayr 's Michael Moffat was given a six-match ban for breaching the rules prohibiting anyone involved in the game betting on football.

But there's a world of difference between having a bet on results and fixing results, and it's important we don't let confusion creep in.

I know it will be tempting, especially when there are so many aspects of a match you can bet on and technology means you don't need to go anywhere near a bookies to have a punt.

But surely everyone also understands these same advances in technology mean there is now every chance that, if players do have a bet, evidence about that will reach the authorities?

I remain convinced match- fixing is not an issue in Scotland - though I wouldn't suggest you bet on that.

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