ANDY McLAREN'S contract with Dundee has been terminated after he was sent off three times last weekend. The club's course of action, coupled with the anticipated eight-game ban, is likely to spell the end of the 33-yearold's playing career.
McLaren has battled with alcohol and drugs throughout his career and frequently endured the taunts of opposition fans, and fellow players, over his much-publicised problems.
Self-discipline has been his biggest demon this season, however, and he was booked five times and sent off once in the space of 11 games before Saturday's incident.
Ironically, McLaren has been in good form recently and netted three times for the Dens Park team before Saturday's triple red card.
The attacking midfielder was first involved in an altercation with Clyde's Eddie Malone, then he squared up to defender Michael McGowan before earning his third red for kicking the referee's door.
It brought McLaren's Dundee career to a sad end, as the club confirmed yesterday.
A statement read: "Following the disciplinary problems at Clyde FC on the 16th of December regarding Andy McLaren, the club and player have held frank and open discussions regarding the matter, and it has been mutually agreed to terminate Andy McLaren's contract.
"Whilst the club won't condone such indiscipline, it does though respect the player's willingness to accept that his actions have brought the club into disrepute and we sincerely wish him well."
McLaren's future in the game is now unclear and he may decided to hang up his boots after a 17-year career spanning eight clubs. The 33year-old first made his name at Dundee United, where he played a pivotal role in their Scottish Cup triumph over Rangers in 1994.
Tommy Burns then signed him for Reading, but during his time in England, he tested positive for cocaine and cannabis and also admitted to having an alcohol problem.
On his return to Scotland in 2000, he signed for Kilmarnock and even earned a Scotland call-up in a friendly against Poland.
Further spells at Partick Thistle and Morton followed before he joined up with Alex Rae at Dundee, who he had formed a close bond with during their rehab at Glasgow's Priory clinic.
McLaren has now been clean and sober for six years and, in the past, has been involved in speaking to Scotland youth squads about the dangers of drugs and drink.
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