Pubdate: Tue, 29 Feb 2000
Source: Daily Record (UK)
Copyright: 1999 Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd.
Contact:  Anderston Quay, Glasgow, Scotland, G3 8DA
Website: http://www.record-mail.co.uk/

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.