Alan McCafu

[PeterWithesShin]

Sponged off his dad Chris.

[PeterWithesShin]

From international football.

Scotland have suffered their latest personnel blow with Alan Hutton having confirmed his retirement from international duty. The Aston Villa right-back, who won 50 caps, informed Gordon Strachan of his decision before the squad for Friday’s World Cup qualifier with England was announced in midweek.

Hutton, 31, made his Scotland debut in a friendly against Austria in May 2007. He was part of the team that memorably defeated France 1-0 in Paris, four months later. More recently, Hutton was a routine starter under Strachan even when out of the first-team picture at Villa. His cap haul earned the former Rangers and Tottenham player a spot in Scotland’s international hall of fame.

“I feel this is the right time to spend more time with my family, put everything I have professionally into doing well at Villa and give others a chance for Scotland,” Hutton told The Observer. “I’ve had a really enjoyable nine years with Scotland and would like to think I have done my bit for my country.

“I’d like to thank all the managers I have played under, especially Gordon for sticking by me when I wasn’t a club regular. We had a couple of good chats over the last few weeks and I appreciate his understanding. I wish both Gordon and the team all the best for the future.”

Scotland fielded Callum Paterson at right-back against Malta in the opening match of their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign. After Hutton withdrew from the squad for the matches against Lithuania and Slovakia, the Hearts player retained his place. Paterson, though, remains the only natural right-back in the Scotland party to play England. Russell Martin, who has played there for Norwich City, has been deployed as a centre-back by Strachan.

Celtic’s Scott Brown, who retired from international duty in September only to reverse his decision, is back in the Scotland squad but is a doubt with a numb foot sustained in Celtic’s 3-0 win on Saturday. Tow of Strachan’s left backs, Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson, have been rendered unavailable because of injury.

[SoccerHQ]

That change to the title nearly gave me a hard on...

[Malandro]

Hutton is wrecking Adomah's game.

How many rampaging runs and failed crosses did our right back do on Saturday? Pass short Alan and leave it to the talented players.

[eamonn]

Disgraceful thread title - what are we, The Sun?!

[UK Redsox]

Hutton was the only one on Saturday who seemed to understand the 'head for the cornerflag with a couple of minutes left' tactic. The others were still heading towards the box and giving the ball away.

After Alan had managed waste a minute or so in the corner and was heading back down field, a few of us in the LTR gave him a warm round of applause.

[SoccerHQ]

Hutton was the only one on Saturday who seemed to understand the 'head for the cornerflag with a couple of minutes left' tactic. The others were still heading towards the box and giving the ball away.

After Alan had managed waste a minute or so in the corner and was heading back down field, a few of us in the LTR gave him a warm round of applause.

Adomah did it aswell.

Don't get me wrong Hutton tries his best and gives 100% but if ever a player summed up our lack of quality at times it's him.

I think teams down here are now working out what prem teams did...allow him room to run down the right as his crosses are always overhit/out of play.

[dave.woodhall]

Hutton was the only one on Saturday who seemed to understand the 'head for the cornerflag with a couple of minutes left' tactic. The others were still heading towards the box and giving the ball away.

After Alan had managed waste a minute or so in the corner and was heading back down field, a few of us in the LTR gave him a warm round of applause.

Adomah did it aswell.

Don't get me wrong Hutton tries his best and gives 100% but if ever a player summed up our lack of quality at times it's him.

I think teams down here are now working out what prem teams did...allow him room to run down the right as his crosses are always overhit/out of play.

He's third choice right back for a mid-table Championship team. I think he can be excused for not being Carlos Alberto II.

[dave shelley]

I've said it before and at the risk of being boring I'll say it again, I like Alan Hutton.  A great footballer he surely a'int, but he sure as hell doesn't lack effort.  There are a minimum of nine from last season that would do well to try and follow that example.

[Legion]

I've said it before and at the risk of being boring I'll say it again, I like Alan Hutton.  A great footballer he surely a'int, but he sure as hell doesn't lack effort.  There are a minimum of nine from last season that would do well to try and follow that example.

Agreed.

[Lobsterboy]

He may not be Cafu but with all other options at right back currently injured I am more than happy for him to not risk getting injured playing for Scotland

[usav]

I've said it before and at the risk of being boring I'll say it again, I like Alan Hutton.  A great footballer he surely a'int, but he sure as hell doesn't lack effort.  There are a minimum of nine from last season that would do well to try and follow that example.

Agreed.

I'll add my name to this wacky line of thinking as well.

[class-of-82]

Ditto

[Goldie.7]

Get rid as soon as.

[Pete3206]

Get rid as soon as.

Cracking stuff