FRASER WISHART, the chief executive of PFA Scotland, admitted it would be “naive” to believe the Scottish game had avoided the child sex abuse sandal which has rocked English football.

And he promised that the union would offer anyone who wanted advice and support a "safe, trusting and completely anonymous environment" in which to speak with either councillors or the union itself.

Greg Clarke, chairman of the English FA, yesterday described the many claims over the past two weeks as being “the biggest crisis I can remember in the sport”. It is certain that more players past and present will come forward.

Read more: When sex abuse is seen as football banter is it any wonder so few affected in Scotland have refused to speak out?

“Given the stories that have come from England and the bravery these lads have shown, it is naive to think that it’s not happened in Scotland,” said Wishart.

“What we want to do as the players union is to try and create a safe and comfortable environment for anybody to come forward. We would encourage anybody that feels the need to come forward or wants the support to do just that.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean their names would appear in the media. There is a confidential hotline, with the emphasis on confidential. If that information was to be shared with us, and that would only be on the individual’s say-so, we have a counselling service in place for people who would want to be helped.”