CUP ACE DRUG SHAME

ONE of Scotland's top young footballers faces being booted out the game
after testing positive for cocaine and cannabis.

Shamed former Under-21 international Andy McLaren, who won a Scottish Cup
medal with Dundee United, has been charged with misconduct by football chiefs.

The midfielder failed a random drugs test while he was playing for English
Second Divison side Reading.

He was nabbed by the Football Association in England last month after
returning to Reading from an unsuccessful loan spell at Scottish First
Division side Livingston.

McLaren was known for his enjoyment of the social scene during his spell at
Dundee United where he developed a reputation as a heavy drinker.

Yesterday, a former team-mate said: "It's sad to see his decline - but not
surprising.

"Things reached the stage when pals were making excuses to avoid his company."

McLaren, 26, has had his contract at Reading terminated by boss Alan Pardew
and he is now a free agent.

He cost pounds 150,000 when he was signed for Reading by ex- Celtic manager
Tommy Burns in March, last year.

McLaren's life has been blighted by tragedy and problems since his early
teens, growing up in the Castlemilk area of Glasgow.

His father died when he was just 16 from choking on his own vomit after a
booze binge.

And by the time McLaren moved to Dundee to play with United, his girlfriend
was pregnant.

McLaren won four Under-21 international caps but the pinnacle of a very
short career was his winner's medal in the 1994 Scottish Cup final win over
Rangers.

McLaren is the second Reading player to fail a drugs test in the last nine
months.

Teenage midfielder Byron Glasgow was sacked by the club last May after
testing positive for cocaine.

McLaren's career has been plagued by inconsistency and personality clashes.

He played for Reading only 11 times because of injury and bad form.

In March last year, he angered Preston North End's Scots manager Davie
Moyes after failing to show up for a trial.

He was put up for sale in 1995 by then Dundee United manager Ivan Golac
after turning up late for training twice.

Golac said at the time: "I have had him in my office half a dozen times
trying to give him advice aimed at helping his career. But I can only do so
much."

McLaren signed for United from Rangers Amateur Boys when he was 13.