Scottish Football Association conducts just eight drugs tests over nine month period

The Scottish Football Association has conducted just eight drug tests on players in the last nine months.

Comparatively, in the 2010/11 season, 122 tests were carried out across the Scottish football pyramid. 

Concerns have been raised about the potential for drugs cheats to go undetected this season due to the falling number of tests.

Anti-doping expert Paul Dimeo says the integrity of Scottish sport is under threat.

"Without an education and testing system together, even people who are innocent of any conscious decision to cheat may have substances in their system," Dimeo told STV.

"So if they're not being tested domestically, then what may happen is when they play overseas and get tested on an international level, they test positive.

"That would be a source of some embarrassment, I assume, to the SFA and UK Anti Doping (UKAD).

"If sports organisations want to present an image of integrity and values around sport, then they need to put systems in place which reassure the organisations, the players, the clubs, the fans and the sponsors that this is a rigorous approach to this potential issue."

However, the SFA insists that it has adequate procedures in place to catch players taking illegal substances.

"The Scottish FA's anti- doping programme is controlled by UKAD and it is implemented on an intelligence-driven basis," a statement read.

"We are in constant dialogue on provision of testing in Scottish football and are proud and protective of our reputation as a clean sport."

Former Partick Thistle defender Jordan McMillan is currently the only player in the country banned after testing positive for a recreational drug. The 27 year-old received a two year ban from all competitive sport in February 2015.