Hartson calls time on career
07 Feb 2008 - 09:51:01
Former West Brom, Celtic and West Ham striker John Hartson has announced his retirement after being released by the Baggies last month.
The 32-year-old former Wales international had his contract at the Championship club cancelled in January after failing to feature in the first team and has now decided to hang up his boots.
Hartson won 50 international caps and made 505 appearances for eight different clubs during a 15-year career.
However, he struggled to recapture his best form after being handed a free transfer by Celtic manager Gordon Strachan in 2006.
"A part of my life has been winding down and, yes, I'm going to miss that competitive edge," he told the Scottish Sun.
"That was my weekend, after all, letting off steam and terrorising centre-halves.
"I'm not going to miss training though. To be honest I'd lost my desire to get back into the West Brom side.
"Gordon warned me the fire inside me would go some day and now it has. You don't get that back."