Former football manager Steve Paterson has entered a rehab clinic to receive treatment for a gambling addiction, it emerged today.

Former football manager Steve Paterson has entered a rehab clinic to receive treatment for a gambling addiction, it emerged today.

The former Aberdeen and Inverness Caledonian Thistle boss said he believed he had blown more than £1 million at the bookmakers over 34 years.

He has now checked into the Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire, the clinic founded by former Arsenal and England player, Tony Adams.

Paterson, who was sacked by Aberdeen in 2004 after a series of poor results, apologised to Dons fans for taking the job at their club at a time when he was "ill".

Paterson, 50, told the Daily Record: "I have created chaos and havoc with my lifestyle. I reckon I've given the bookies more than a million pounds. It's horrifying."

He added: "Outsiders might look at me and think I've led a charmed life. But I have been a tortured soul all these years.

"I know there are people who saw me simply as a drunk, who spent all his time in the pub. But the drinking came as a result of the strain of having handed over every penny I ever earned to the bookies."

Paterson, who is originally from Mosstodloch in Moray, began his football career with Nairn Country before signing for Manchester United in 1974.

He remained at Old Trafford until 1980 when he moved to the Far East, playing for Hong Kong Rangers and Japanese side Yomiuri.

After returning to the UK he was appointed manager of Elgin City then Huntly before becoming manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 1995.

He led Caley Thistle to the Scottish Premier League and was in charge when they beat Celtic 3-1 in the Scottish Cup in February 2000.

Two years later Paterson was appointed manager of Aberdeen, but left the club in 2004 following poor results and drinking controversies.

He went on to manage Peterhead FC but was sacked from the north-east club earlier this year.