Wark to retire after play-offs

VETERAN Ipswich, Liverpool and Scotland star John Wark is set to hang up his boots.

The 39-year-old midfielder will officially retire after the First Division promotion play-offs after almost 20 years with Ipswich, manager George Burley said.

Wark will remain with the club in a mixture of capacities as coach, scout and Football in the Community Officer.

Burley said: 'John Wark, who is now almost 40, will be hanging up his boots at the end of the season.

'Now I am hoping that John will continue to be involved with the club for whom he has always been an excellent servant and a tremendous ambassador.' Wark played 677 games for Ipswich in his three spells at the club, putting him second behind England defender Mick Mills in the all-time appearance records.

The Glasgow-born midfielder turned defender, who made 29 appearances for Scotland, also scored an astonishing 181 goals for the Portman Road club.