Sunday 6 November 2016 20:25, UK
Aston Villa right-back Alan Hutton has announced his retirement from Scotland duty.
Hutton was absent from the squad to face England in a World Cup Qualifier at Wembley and it has emerged he had asked manager Gordon Strachan to be excluded.
The 31-year-old failed to regain his place from Callum Paterson of Hearts for last month's double header against Lithuania and Slovakia after pulling out of the previous two squads through injury.
The former Rangers and Tottenham player, who won 50 caps, told The Observer: "I feel this is the right time to spend more time with my family, put everything I have professionally into doing well at Villa and give others a chance for Scotland.
"I've had a really enjoyable nine years with Scotland and would like to think I have done my bit for my country.
"I'd like to thank all the managers I have played under, especially Gordon for sticking by me when I wasn't a club regular. We had a couple of good chats over the last few weeks and I appreciate his understanding. I wish both Gordon and the team all the best for the future."
Speaking to several Sunday newspapers, Strachan said: "Alan Hutton has taken himself out of the frame to be an international player. Was it out the blue? A wee bit.
"He's maybe in a position now where he's thinking: 'How long is that? 10 years? Have I done enough?' We respect everyone's decision."
