Kenny McDowall insists Steve Simonsen will remain Rangers' number one despite the goalkeeper facing a Scottish Football Association gambling charge.

Simonsen has been issued with a notice of complaint which alleges he has placed bets on 55 matches over the past 12 months.

SFA disciplinary rule 33 prohibits players, coaches, club officials and referees in Scotland from betting on football anywhere in the world.

But Gers caretaker boss McDowall insists the Englishman is innocent until found guilty and plans to pick him for Saturday's Scottish Championship clash with Cowdenbeath.

He said: "I will need to wait and see what the hearing comes up with, but he's not guilty as of yet."

Asked if he would be available for selection, McDowall added: "Absolutely."

The governing body's first charge states that the former Everton and Dundee stopper placed 18 bets between January 15 and June 22 last year.

The second accuses the 35-year-old of gambling on 37 further matches between September 6 and January 13.

The SFA insists there is no suggestion Simonsen was involved in any of the matches he is accused of betting on.

A principal hearing has been set for Thursday, February 12. Simonsen has until Thursday, January 29, to respond to the complaint.

The governing body has taken a hard-line stance on gambling breaches in recent years.

In September 2013, Simonsen's Rangers team-mate Ian Black was handed a 10-game ban - seven of which were suspended - and a £7,500 fine after admitted to placing 160 football bets over a seven-year period.

Three of the matches involved bets placed against the clubs he was playing for at the time - two while playing for Hearts and one while with Rangers.

But McDowall insists Rangers do not have a problem with players betting.

"I wouldn't say there is a problem with gambling at the club," he said. "The case with Steve was a surprise to me.

"I wouldn't want to comment until the hearing has been held.

"But I think there has been enough notice now (of the rules) for everybody to take heed that you are not allowed to gamble. It's as plain as that.

"I think (it was made clear after the Ian Black situation) and there has been a couple of boys in England as well. It's not just this club."

And Gers defender Darren McGregor admits the rules are clear.

Asked if he knew exactly what players could and could not have a flutter on, he said: "You're not supposed to gamble on football matches. To be honest I don't gamble.

"I've not had much guidance on the rules to be honest but I've just taken it that you can't gamble. I've never gambled so for me, it's not been at the forefront of my mind. Maybe I've not paid attention to it because it's not been an issue for me."

Responding to the charge, a spokeswoman for Rangers said: "The club is aware of the SFA's notice of complaint and are currently investigating the matter."

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