GARY CALDWELL has been forced to call time on his remarkable career because his troublesome hip meant it was too painful to train never mind play for struggling Wigan Athletic.

The former Celtic and Scotland captain did not want to contemplate the ultimate nightmare scenario but, at the age of the 32, he knew it was over.

Now he is hoping to build a new career in coaching while doing anything he can to assist the perilous position Wigan occupy in the Championship.

The former Parkhead skipper, who won two titles, the Scottish Cup and the League Cup, has been given a role in the Wigan academy but he is unsure what will happen at the end of the season, particularly if the Latics plunge into League One.

Ironically, his last match for Wigan was against Queen's Park Rangers in the Premiership Play-Off semi-finals last season which indicates just how far the Lancashire club have fallen.

He won 55 caps for Scotland and, of course, famously scored the winner against France at Hampden on October 11 2006 to elate the nation but now his international career is just memories.

Caldwell said: "That's the end for me. I have been struggling for years to be perfectly honest and even training was becoming really panful.

"I had the second operation on my left hip just under two years ago and while it helped a little bit I was never the same again. I played four games and that was it.

"The first time I got the operation it was a success and it had a good effect.

"But the surgeon was honest with me when I went in the second time in the summer of 2013 and said that he wasn't sure if it was going to help me.

"So it's something I knew was coming.

"Of course you want to play but I also wanted to get into coaching and I have the chance now rather than wondering 'what am I going to do now?'

"In the summer II tried to keep playing but Uwe Rosler also wanted me to get involved in the academy side of the club.

"I tried to play as much as possible in pre-season but I was really struggling and I was in pain every day at training."

New boss Malky Mackay, who is desperately trying to keep Wigan in the Championship, is hoping to give Caldwell a permanent coaching role next season but it may all depend on the club's status.

Caldwell added: "When Malky came in he asked how I was and I admitted that was struggling and so he told me why not cut everything right back and focus on the academy and also come and watch him work with the first team.

"So I have been really thankful that I have been given the opportunity to do that while I can.

"I'm not sure what will happen at the end of the season. Malky has said he hopes to keep me at the club but he's not sure in what role yet.

"Of course there are a lot more pressing matters on our minds at the moment so I'm just helping as much as I can at the moment so we will find out at the end of the season."