Hammer calls time on his Scotland career

Scotland midfielder Robert Snodgrass has announced his retirement from international football.

Snodgrass played in the 4-0 defeat to Russia in Moscow on Thursday night but feels it is the right time for him to step aside.

He withdrew from the squad ahead of the 6-0 win over San Marino and Lewis Morgan was called in as a last-minute replacement.

The 32-year-old, who plays in the English Premier League for West Ham, announced his decision on Instagram yesterday morning.

He said: “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to live my childhood dream.

“It’s been such a special feeling pulling on that Scotland jersey since I was 16 years old. There’s been many highs throughout my international career which I’ll always remember with fondness, including my debut against Northern Ireland, winning two international player of the year awards, and my hat-trick in Malta.

“It’s now the right time for me to step aside though and retire from the national team and let the boys and younger players take my place and hopefully push the squad forward.

“I will now watch as a fan and I hope to see us play at a major tournament again soon. Fingers crossed the boys do it come March.”

Snodgrass – who started his career at Livingston before spells at Leeds, Norwich and Hull, with loan periods at Stirling Albion and Aston Villa – ends his international career with seven goals in 28 appearances, after making his debut in 2011.