Former Dundee United player Andy McLaren has stressed that it is vital that mental health issues within sport are addressed regularly.

The 41-year-old had his own struggles through his career and, more recently, retired footballer Clarke Carlisle revealed that he attempted suicide by jumping in front of a moving lorry last December.

"A lot has been said about mental health issues because of Clarke Carlisle and Jack Syme," sundaypost.com quotes McLaren as saying. "It's tragic, and we must keep this awareness going and keep addressing it.

"I understand why footballers and other sports people struggle to cope after they have retired. Football is such a macho sport and a decade ago it would have been seen as a sign of weakness to admit to mental health issues."

McLaren now runs a charity for disadvantaged children following his battles with depression.