McArthur decides to retire from international football

James McArthur has retired from Scotland duty after deciding his body can no longer cope with the rigours of international football.

The 31-year-old won the last of his 32 Scotland caps in Slovenia 12 months ago in Gordon Strachan’s final match in charge.

Scotland manager Alex McLeish revealed in August that the Crystal Palace midfielder had asked to be excused from duty because of a back problem.

And McArthur has decided he needs to make that arrangement permanent.

McArthur, who has started all 10 of Palace’s Premier League matches this season, said in a statement: “It is with much regret that I feel the time has arrived for me to retire from international football.

“I have found it increasingly difficult over the last year to manage a number of physical issues.

“I have debated long and hard about this decision and I feel the only way for me to be able to maintain my fitness in order to continue to play at the top level is to retire from international football.”

The news comes on top of recent blows for McLeish, who could be without strikers Leigh Griffiths and Steven Naismith for the Nations League deciders against Albania and Israel next month.

McLeish said: “James has been an integral member of the Scotland national team since his debut back in 2010.

“We will miss James but we fully respect and understand his need to manage his body as he approaches the latter stages of his career.”

James McArthur won 32 caps for Scotland.