FORMER Celtic star Pierce O'Leary has been declared bankrupt with debts of more than £200,000.

The former Republic of Ireland international, who now runs a cleaning business in Glasgow, was declared insolvent after failing to settle large bills.

Mr O'Leary, 53, is the brother of former Leeds United manager David O'Leary and father of Kilmarnock player Ryan O'Leary.

He played for the Parkhead club for four years between 1984 and 1988 and was capped seven times for his country.

He is thought to have applied for bankruptcy after running up debts of £214,378. It was approved by Scotland's insolvency service, the Accountant In Bankruptcy, last week.

A trustee, Bryce Findlay, of Glasgow insolvency practitioners Findlay Hamilton, has been appointed to take control of his assets and try to recover money owed to creditors.

Mr O'Leary lives with his family in a luxury home in Thorntonhall, South Lanarkshire, one of Scotland's most exclusive areas. His neighbours include Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell and former player Aiden McGeady.

He launched his industrial cleaning firm Safehands Cleaning Services in the 1990s, alongside Celtic goalkeeping legend Pat Bonner, who is no longer involved in the company.

Company accounts show the company changed its name to McWiggan Services in January. A new company, called Safehands Cleaning, has been set up, with Mr O'Leary's wife appointed as a director.

At his offices last week, Mr O'Leary said: "I'm not prepared to comment." Mr Findlay was unavailable for comment.