Frank McGarvey says spot-betting tempts players

The issue of betting came to the fore this week when the Association of British Bookmakers reported what they felt was unusual betting activity on the red card market for Motherwell's SPL match against Hearts.

Steve Jennings was sent off in the 83rd minute of Motherwell's 2-1 defeat. The former Tranmere midfielder has denied any wrongdoing and the club have stood by their employee.

McGarvey insists Scottish football does not have a problem but is uneasy about the proliferation of markets for games. The former Scotland international said: "Scottish football is the cleanest sport in the world, I believe. In the 20 years that I played there was never any suggestion of cheating in any way, but an individual couldn't affect a game anyway.

"If you tried to play badly there were ten others who could still win it for you. When I played for St Mirren I bet on us to beat Partick Thistle in one game but I didn't do it again. I scored and we won but I couldn't concentrate during the game.

"But, with the invention of the internet, and the explosion of all types of quirky bets, an individual player can make money on things like red cards and throw-ins. That has now become an option for them, especially those struggling financially. There are big prices available and money to be made."