Newcastle United’s Matt Ritchie has retired from playing international football for Scotland according to a report in the Daily Mail. Ritchie had qualified for Scotland through his father, who was born in Edinburgh. He had 16 caps since his debut in March of 2015.
Ritchie has not been available for selection in over a year. Last November, Ritchie told then Scotland manager Alex McLeish that he would not be available to play for Scotland for the foreseeable future. However, he made it clear at the time that he was not officially retiring.
Ritchie turned down a request to be involved in Scotland’s Nations League matches against Albania and Isreal last year. This is what Alex McLeish said at the time:
“I wanted Matt to come in, but he has asked to be left out at the moment.
“He has not retired or anything. It is not something for me to discuss.
“He had injury issues as well, and again, there is management of his injuries.
“You don’t know everyone’s private life, so you have to respect that.”
According to the Daily Mail, Ritchie was approached by current Scotland manager Steve Clarke recently about his future availability. Ritchie told Clarke that he was retiring from international football to spend more time with his family during international breaks and to make sure he can maintain his fitness for Newcastle.
Ritchie has been out of action for Newcastle since suffering his ankle injury on August 28th. That may have played a role in his decision. Ritchie’s last appearance for Scotland was on March 23, 2018, in a friendly against Costa Rica.
27 comments so far
Scythe For Bruce
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:26 AM
Comment #1Good news for us. I hope he’s able to get over his current injury woes soon and get back out on to the pitch again. Joelinton might get some joy with Ritchie firing in some vicious crosses.
carltoon
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:30 AM
Comment #2Bill groups of people in the lounge, not one group looking at the football, sitting talking and drinking. They soon looked up when I screamed, think it was Almiron shot hitting Maxi.
RobLeenio
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:30 AM
Comment #3NY Mag, cheers mate – I like debating with Tsunki, he’s an intelligent bloke and a slippery customer so hard to nail down. It’s a good topic, too – Bruce is nobody’s first choice as manager, but I’ve an open mind and he’s starting to change my opinion.
It became daft when others started chipping in, so I backed off. Not worth getting involved in nastiness and making an enemy or annoying anyone to the point where they leave the blog – Tsunki has done that in the past and the place is definitely better for having him around.
RobLeenio
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:34 AM
Comment #4Probably a good move by Ritchie – he’s getting towards the end of his career, Scotland are going nowhere internationally and he won’t be able to affect that too much so where’s the point in continuing when he can get some proper rest during the international breaks and maybe extend his club career by a year or two?
Way better for us if he doesn’t have to jet off to Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan or Kazakhstan a few times per year.
RobLeenio
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:35 AM
Comment #5Think I may have offended Bill by suggesting he plays Hungry Hippos
😉
NY Mag
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:38 AM
Comment #6Carltoon,
I agree, both the last two games have left us on edge as to the outcome….but that’s what makes it more special 🙂
Here’s to the same thing in the next two 🙂
BTW, how was the champagne and prawn sandwiches in the lounge 😀
The Wife
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:39 AM
Comment #7Even I miss the bus sometimes!
RobLeenio, I replied to you on the previous article.
RobLeenio
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:43 AM
Comment #8The Wife, apparently it’s going to drop from 21 degrees today to -6 degrees overnight on Wednesday (I know you know, better than me obviously, just putting it into context for the blog)
‘Some cooler weather’ is an interesting choice of phrase
😉
carltoon
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:45 AM
Comment #9Oh! I wish, I’m waiting for you to come over and buy me the champagne and prawn sandwiches. Mind they come on paper plates.
NY Mag
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:46 AM
Comment #10Rob,
Good natured debate is the heartbeat of the blog….you are a credit for that.
I’m not gonna talk about other posters….otherwise I’m inviting (insert: abuse/criticism/name calling for myself).
But you made some very good points that indeed made me look at my own opinion of things – that’s the highest praise I can give you!!!
NY Mag
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:47 AM
Comment #11Carltoon,
One day…….that will happen
Prestonmag66
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:48 AM
Comment #12Manchester United will not be trying to sign their former striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 38, in the January transfer window. Ibrahimovic is available on a free transfer when his LA Galaxy contract ends. (Sky Sports)
One can only dream 🙁
carltoon
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:51 AM
Comment #13Prestonmag that wouldn’t be a bad signing now would it.
RobLeenio
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:51 AM
Comment #14Paper plates? I bet they never gave Elsie Robson paper plates.
It’s not proper, that mind…
NY Mag
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:54 AM
Comment #15I think sir Bobby and Elsie would have probably been used to paper plates….they were down to earth after all.
carltoon
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:55 AM
Comment #16Rob don’t think you get prawns either, never had anything to eat in the lounge.
carltoon
Nov 12, 2019 at 12:59 AM
Comment #17Had a meal in the players lounge though.
NY Mag
Nov 12, 2019 at 1:04 AM
Comment #18Chip butty?
🙂
carltoon
Nov 12, 2019 at 1:04 AM
Comment #19How did you guess. Ha ha
carltoon
Nov 12, 2019 at 1:06 AM
Comment #20Proper plate though.
NY Mag
Nov 12, 2019 at 1:07 AM
Comment #21What I wouldn’t give for a proper chip butty……that would be 5-star for me 🙂
carltoon
Nov 12, 2019 at 1:11 AM
Comment #22Believe it or not, never have chips or very rarely when I’m in the house. But I always have them abroad. I’ve just recently started to drink Coca-Cola, after never having it for about 20 years.
NY Mag
Nov 12, 2019 at 1:15 AM
Comment #23Is that to dilute the vodka 🙂
carltoon
Nov 12, 2019 at 1:15 AM
Comment #24Only started to drink alcohol again after about 20 years as well. As you have noticed. But I only have a couple when I’m out.
The Wife
Nov 12, 2019 at 1:17 AM
Comment #25OK, so I had to google “chip butty”. Way too many carbs for me, but I can see the appeal. Comfort food! 😀
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 12, 2019 at 1:20 AM
Comment #26Rob
No, not offended, have played Hungry Hippo with my granddaughter when she was younger, my friends are quite geeky and often splash out on kickstarter games which can be quite convoluted, tonight’s was no exception my brain was aching by the time we finished.
The Wife
Nov 12, 2019 at 1:20 AM
Comment #27Tsk, tsk, NY Mag. It’s always rum you mix with Coca-Cola. (Captain Morgan’s Spiced, to be exact.) 😉