Former Dundee United striker David Goodwillie has said he intends to defend himself in court over a damages claim from a woman who says he raped her.
Goodwillie appeared at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Friday to say he would be representing himself in the case after being ordered to set aside £100,000.
His solicitors withdrew from the case following an earlier hearing that saw him ordered to make the cash available.
Criminal charges against Goodwillie were dropped by The Crown but the 30-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has raised a civil action against him and fellow footballer David Robertson.
She alleges they raped her in the early hours of January 2, 2011 and is seeking damages of £250,000.
Both men deny the allegations.
Goodwillie, 27, tried to have the order to set aside £100,000 revoked, claiming he would be left without legal representation, but judge Lord Armstrong refused.
At a brief hearing on Friday, Lord Armstrong said to Goodwillie: “I take it by your presence you wish to insist on your defence in this action.”
The former Scotland striker, now playing for Plymouth Argyle, replied: “Yes.”
Lord Armstrong told Goodwillie, 27, he could seek other legal representation and the Law Society of Scotland may be able to assist him.
The woman’s lawyer, Simon Di Rollo QC, said he had discussed the possibility of Goodwillie questioning his client “on a hypothetical basis.”
Someone accused of rape cannot question their alleged victim in a criminal court and similar restrictions apply in civil cases.
The woman claims she was raped at flat in Armadale after being given a lift home from a club in Bathgate by the players.
She claims she was too drunk to consent to sex.
Both Goodwillie and Robertson accept they had sex with the woman but maintain it was consensual.
Both deny the woman was incapable.
The woman claims the incident has caused her to suffer depression, a panic disorder, anxiety and an eating disorder.
She has also left her job.
