Crossword Genius

Spy teenagers staggering outside clubs close to midnight (6,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

secret agent

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'spy' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'teenagers staggering outside clubs close to midnight' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'clubs' could be 'c' (abbreviation in card games) and 'c' is present in the answer.
an anagram of 'teenagers' is 'seretagen' which is present in the left over letters.
A single letter 't' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for secret agent that I've seen before include "Spy" , "007 - centre stage (anag)" , "Conrad character" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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