St Johnstone club captain Dave Mackay has announced his retirement.
The 35-year-old defender has been battling with a hip problem since the summer of 2014 and has undergone two operations in a bid to rectify the issue.
Despite improvement Mackay, who joined the McDiarmid Park club from Livingston in 2009, does not believe he can reach the level of fitness needed for continued first team football.
Speaking to the Saints website, he said: “I’ve been aware of this issue for the past couple of years and although the first operation brought about a level of improvement that enabled me to get back playing and feeling fine, there was a gradual deterioration again over a period of time to the extent that I was unable to train.
“A second operation followed which again helped but not to the extent that I feel that I can get back to the fitness levels needed for full-time football.
“The decision hasn’t been an easy one but I’ve had to take into consideration that I don’t want to do irreversible damage that affects me away from football.
“I’m only 35 and have a lot of years ahead of me that I don’t want to be affected.
“I’ve probably known in my own mind that this decision had to be made and I’m happy that I’ve given myself every chance to get back playing but it’s not to be.”
