A FORMER Scottish Premier League footballer, who played in two Scottish Cup finals, has admitted the theft of postal packets and their contents while employed as a postman.

Alan Lawrence, one of Airdrieonians' Scottish Cup heroes of the 1990s, pled guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court to stealing postal packets and their contents valued at £500.

Lawrence, 51, of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, carried out the theft from Airdrie Delivery Office, Buchanan Street, between May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2012.

Sheriff Collins deferred sentence until next month for background reports, including supervision and unpaid work. Lawrence was ordered to reappear then.

He left court refusing to make any comment.