Respects destructive ghosts (8)

I believe the answer is:

spectres

'ghosts' is the definition.
(spectre can mean a ghost)

'respects destructive' is the wordplay.
'destructive' indicates an anagram (I've seen this in other clues).
'respects' is an anagram of 'SPECTRES'.

(Other definitions for spectres that I've seen before include "Ghosts wielding sceptres" , "Ghostly apparitions" , "Respects, being spirits" , "Phantoms, apparitions" , "Pay respects to ghosts" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app