Hartson in Wales quit shock

Wales striker John Hartson has announced his retirement from international football.

Wales striker John Hartson has announced his retirement from international football.

The Celtic hit-man has decided to quit his international commitments so that he can concentrate on his club duties.

Hartson won 50 caps for Wales, scoring 14 goals in the process.

The 30-year-old has recently suggested that he wanted to spend more time with his family and this could have had a bearing on his decision to quit international football.

"It is a sad day for me because I have loved playing for my country and representing the Welsh people for a number of years," Hartson told stellargroup.

"I always feel enormous pride whenever I put on a Wales shirt and will always cherish the memories of my time with the national team.

"I would like to thank all the managers, coaches, staff and players who have helped me during my time in the Wales team, but above all I would like to thank the Welsh people for all their support and encouragement.

"It would have been fantastic to reward them with a place at a major tournament but sadly it just wasn't to be.

"Now I have made this decision I will be concentrating my efforts 100 percent on doing the best I can for Celtic Football Club and hopefully this decision will allow me to really enjoy the final few years of my career.

"Finally, I would like to wish John Toshack and the Wales squad the very best of luck in qualifying for the 2008 European Championships."

The news is a blow for Wales boss John Toshack as he will have to prepare for their Euro 2008 qualifiers without the former Arsenal and Coventry forward.

The player's agent Jonathan Barnett revealed Hartson made the decision so that he could prolong his stay at Celtic.

"He felt the time was right," Barnett told Sky Sports News.

"He's certainly got a few years left and he wants to give them all to Celtic.

"John has always said he's 100 percent committed to Celtic and he loves it there.

"I think the demands on the modern footballer today are such that when you get to that sort of age doing the best for two teams is difficult.

"He felt it was right for Celtic and to allow younger boys to come through for Wales.

"He told John Toshack over the weekend and there was a long discussion between them.

"John had made his mind up and the people of Wales are very gracious towards him."