Monday 26 February 2018 15:00, UK
Celtic midfielder Scott Brown has announced his international retirement for the second time after winning 55 caps for Scotland.
The 32-year-old spoke to new Scotland boss Alex McLeish over the weekend and informed him of his decision to make himself unavailable for selection.
Brown, who had captained Scotland, reversed an initial decision to retire in August 2016, returning for his country's ultimately unsuccessful World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign, but said he now wished to focus on his duties as Celtic skipper.
"I have spoken to Alex McLeish over the weekend. I really wanted to tell Alex first what I was thinking about things," he told Celtic's official website.
"As I said to Alex, I felt that, given the demands which are increasing all the time in football and at this stage of my career, I wasn't able to give both my club and country my best and I needed to focus purely on Celtic at this time.
"The football calendar is more and more demanding now, and in terms of looking after my own body and in interests of my family, I felt now is the right time to take this decision.
"I have really enjoyed my time with Scotland and making over 50 caps is something which I will always be really proud of. It was a huge honour to pull on the Scotland jersey every time I was given the opportunity and to be able to captain my country is a privilege I will always cherish."
Brown made his Scotland debut under Walter Smith against the United States in November 2005 and thanked his former international managers and team-mates.
"I would like to thank all the Scotland managers I have worked with over a number of years. They have all been great men to work with and supported me brilliantly as a player over so many years," he added.
"I've had the honour, too, of working with some great players - great team-mates and so many lads who always gave their all for their country.
"I would also like to sincerely thank the people who are the most important, the Scotland fans. I have had great support from the Scotland fans. I have always given my best to the Scotland team and I know that all the lads in our squad enjoy playing in front of our supporters, who follow the team home and away in such numbers.
"I want to wish Alex and the squad the very best of success for the future and particularly for the upcoming campaign. I hope he can do what we had always aimed for. Obviously I'll be supporting the lads all the way as they try to get to the Euros. We have a very good squad of players and I know they will be doing all they can to take the country to a major tournament. I'll be right behind them."
Following his international retirement, Scotland boss McLeish thanked Brown and said he was an "example" for others.
"I would like to thank Scott for his dedication to his country throughout his career. I have known Scott for a long time and I know how difficult this decision has been for him," he said.
"Scott gave his all every time he represented his nation and his influence on the squad is immeasurable. He has been a shining example for the younger players in the squad and an influential figure in the dressing room."
