IF anything positive is to be extracted from the Ian Black affair it is surely that there can't now be anyone in Scottish football who doesn't know the rules relating to gambling.

In truth, the regulations were never all that complicated. Anyone who comes under the Scottish Football Association's jurisdiction - be it players, managers, or club officials - is not allowed to bet on any football match anywhere in the world, apart from authorised and registered football pools. That's it.

Whether such a rule is fair or enforceable is another discussion that will likely take place between the game's key stakeholders in the coming weeks or months. For now, though, ignorance can surely no longer be an excuse.

Ally McCoist, however, believes further instruction is necessary. The Rangers manager chastised Black for his betting indiscretions - that included three times gambling on his then-registered club not to win - that led to the player being handed an effective three-game ban and £7500 fine, but felt that coming down tough on the player would have been hypocritical of him given, in McCoist's words, "he's been found guilty of doing what 85-90% of people within football do," McCoist admitted even he was uncertain just what the rules on betting were.

"I would suggest the players and staff have to find out what the rules are and be crystal clear on that," he said. "It seems to me the vast majority of football players and staff, and I include myself in that, don't know. In terms of wrongdoing, I'm not saying ignorance is an excuse - because it's not - but at the same time if there's anything good to come out of this case it's that we'll all know where we stand. I've not spoken to our players yet because I don't know the rules. The best thing for me to do is to get PFA Scotland in to speak to them. Our job is to find out what the rules are and abide by them."

Smith is back at Ibrox for a second spell after spending time in England and the USA after leaving Rangers three years ago. He admitted to also not being fully au fait on what he is or isn't allowed to do when it comes to betting on football. "I didn't know the rules myself when I came back after being in England," said the defender likely to deputise for the injured Lee Wallace against Arbroath this afternoon.

"Within the first week or two of being in England, the rules got explained to us, what you could and couldn't do. Since I've been back, and even the first time I was here, I have never had a meeting with anyone telling us what is right and what is wrong. I've not spoken to one person at any club that knew the rules, so I think the rules should be made a lot clearer for the players to understand."

Black begins his three-game ban this afternoon, his absence offset by McCoist having all eight of Rangers' summer trialists to choose from for the first time this season. The size of the group may seem excessive for the third tier of Scottish football but McCoist is happy with his options.

"I've now possibly got a headache that every other Rangers manager has had - I have a selection problem," he said. "We have numbers and I've always said that's what the club should have- a healthy competition for places. There are eight or nine who have left and the eight boys coming in will definitely benefit the squad.

"I wouldn't want to tempt fate about the game but you can definitely see an edge to training which is very healthy because the boys know they've got to perform and train well to have any chance of playing, which is good."

McCoist added further to his squad last night by recruiting goalkeeper Steve Simonsen and still hoped to also tie up a deal for Marius Zaliukas, the former Hearts defender. "I know that Marius will be having a discussion with Craig Mather [the Rangers chief executive], with a view to possibly offering him something.

"When you look at where we are and where we were last year, and look at the level of Marius who has played in the top league for the last seven years and was certainly one of Hearts better players, then I think it's safe to say he wouldn't look out of place in our team."

Simonsen, who was at Dundee last season, was glad to have concluded a deal and hoped to challenge Cammy Bell for the goalkeeper's jersey. "I'm absolutely delighted to have signed," he said. "Rangers are a huge club. I can't wait to sample the home atmosphere for the first time against Arbroath,

"I've been brought here first and foremost as back-up to Cammy Bell, who is an outstanding keeper. But in football you have to take whatever chances come your way and I'll be trying to put pressure on Cammy as much as possible. My job is to keep him on his toes."