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McCulloch explains exit timing

11 Sep 2008 - 13:50:10

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Rangers midfielder Lee McCulloch believes 'the nation hates him' following the timing of his announcement that he had retired from international football.

The 30-year-old's decision to retire from international duty became public knowledge after Scotland's 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Macedonia on Saturday.

McCulloch, who has not played for the national side since new manager George Burley took charge in January, claims he told the Scottish Football Association of his decision last week, but that the information was not passed on to the newly-installed manager.

The former Motherwell and Wigan midfielder had been contemplating his international future for the past 12 months.

"The timing was not too good when the boys were trying to get themselves ready for a game," he told Rangers World.

"A lot of people didn't know that I had spoken to the SFA before the game and let them know that decision, and I was hoping it was going to be quiet in the background between me, the manager and (administrator) Richard Simpson.

"It doesn't look too good. It looks as if I'm trying to upset people, upset the manager the players, the nation.

"I think as we speak just now, the whole nation hate me. I just wanted to let everyone know the truth."