Matt Holland quits international football

[ATB]

Charlton Athletic midfielder Matt Holland has announced his retirement from international football.

The schemer has been contemplating hanging up his international boots since Republic of Ireland were pipped to World Cup qualification by Switzerland.

The 31-year-old opted to take stock of his options before making his decision and he has now opted to step aside.

"I'd near enough made up my mind when I walked off the pitch after the Switzerland game," Holland, who has 49 caps to his name, told the Mail on Sunday.

"I was wrapped up in the disappointment of not qualifying for the World Cup, so I had to give it a while before finalising my decision. I realise that now is the right time to quit.

"Steve Staunton tried to talk me out of it. He said I still had another campaign in me and that he wanted me around for the European qualifiers. But this is the right decision.

"I have to think about the future and what's right for me. I'm 32 in April and want to carry on playing for Charlton as long as possible.

"Not playing international football and all it entails can only help me achieve that."

While Holland would appear to be committed to the cause at The Valley, Jason Euell has expressed his frustration at failing to secure a January move away from the club.

Euell had been courted by Birmingham City, but a deal was not pushed through and the 28-year-old has hit out at Charlton for this.

"The club left it far too late to be resolved," he said. "All I want to do is play football, which was the only reason why I wanted to quit."

[toby]

Why is it that when midfielders start to get old they suddenly get referred to as midfield "schemers"?

When they are younger they are "dynamos", another one for older players is midfield "general"!