Livingston manager David Martindale has served his time in prison and it's right he can take part in football – Kenny MacAskill

Staying in a job for a football manager depends on results. On the pitch, the Livingston manager has done remarkably well.

Livingston manager David Martindale has led the team to remarkable success on the pitch in recent weeks (Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

Eleven games unbeaten and into a cup final is a record to be proud of and something that would normally see David Martindale safe in post.

It's another record that’s caused him difficulties and saw him called before football authorities. For, back in November 2006, he was jailed for six-and-a-half years for serious criminal offences. As a result, he was called to account at Hampden Park.

That inquiry seems perfectly reasonable to me. Football has a profile and there’s a need to protect the integrity of the game, as well as individuals of whatever age from those who would cause them harm.

However, the threat in the game, as in life itself isn’t from those who’ve admitted their guilt. It's from those who deny it and seek admission to it for nefarious purposes. Youth football has sadly suffered from that and it has rightly increased scrutiny and supervision.

But Mr Martindale has admitted his guilt and served his time. He’s also sought to atone for his actions, both the harm he caused to his family and to wider society. It’s why the SFA’s decision to allow him to manage is correct.

Redemption’s possible other than for a few psychopaths and people must be able to move on and put their past behind them. Let those without sin cast the first stone, as the Good Book says.

I also saw that Burns Night was the anniversary of Eric Cantona’s kung-fu kick on a fan. Now he’s a footballer I greatly admired even if he was also a complex character. How he wasn’t in the great French team that won the World Cup beats me.

The French star was rightly punished by court and football authorities back in 1995. There had been provocation, but his behaviour was unacceptable, though on a lesser scale than Martindale’s. But he atoned for his actions and was allowed back into the game. Mr Martindale is no Cantona but he’s still entitled to a second chance.

Kenny MacAskill is SNP MP for East Lothian

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