SIR DAVID MURRAY believes an "obsession" with sectarianism and racism is having a detrimental effect on Scottish football, and has called for a focus on the positive aspects of the game.

The Rangers chairman spoke out after comments made by him at the weekend were perceived to suggest sectarianism between fans of Dundee and Dundee United, which led to the chairmen of those clubs issuing a joint statement denying any such problem.

While that situation has now been clarified with the clubs accepting Murray's comments were taken out of context, he believes it highlighted that fans, clubs, the media and politicians have become preoccupied with the issue of sectarianism, overshadowing events such as a reception for servicemen and women at Ibrox, plus the launch of the annual Show Racism the Red Card campaign.

Murray said on the club's website: "It is absolutely right that fans' behaviour comes under scrutiny, but it now seems to becoming an obsession in the media and political arenas as well as amongst supporters.

"We are facing the real possibility of losing sight of the bigger picture. On Saturday at Ibrox we had more than 100 servicemen and women recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan as our guests. They were given a tremendous reception and any fan in the ground will tell you this is the kind of thing they want to see and read about.

"We were also delighted to support the launch of the annual Show Racism the Red Card initiative which has helped make Scotland a place where racism is nowhere near as prevalent an issue as it is elsewhere. However, you would not think Scotland has emerged from the dark ages in terms of racism or sectarianism when you see the endless obsession there is with these issues that now involves clubs, supporters, the media and politicians. No-one wants to see anti-social behaviour, but there should be a sense of proportion. Sectarianism and racism are not the problems they once were in this country. It would be absurd to suggest these problems do not exist, but we need to put them in perspective."

He added: "At the weekend I mentioned Dundee and Dundee United as examples of how rival supporters wind each other up on websites and that it is not just something that happens solely in the west of Scotland.

"It was suggested that I was accusing them of sectarianism, which was not the case. My actual quote made no reference to this, but that is the conclusion that was drawn. What I was suggesting is that vicious comments that appear on unofficial websites are commonplace. They do a great disservice to the game and are given far too much credibility in the media.

"We are left wondering what impact this continual fixation will have on the reputation of Scottish football and can only conclude that it will be negative and damaging.

"When I took over this club 20 years ago there were fundamental problems and I think there is general recognition we have travelled a long way since then. We have a lot to be proud of about the game in Scotland and we should keep a sense of perspective on the issues and challenges we all face."