McCullough keen to return to Scotland setup

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GLASGOW, Feb 14, 2010 (AFP) - Rangers midfielder Lee McCullough has become the latest "exile" to say he wants to return to the Scotland national squad under new coach Craig Levein.

The 31-year-old quit the national team in September 2008 while George Burley was in charge in a bid to concentrate on his club career.

But he now says he is ready to once again play for his country and would love to make his return in next month's friendly against the Czech Republic at Hampden.

McCulloch told the Sunday Mail: "If Craig Levein wants to select me for next month's squad against Czech Republic I'd be delighted.

"I think I have something to offer, although not for a minute am I suggesting I should be starting games.

"But if Craig thinks I'd be a good addition to his squad then that's good enough for me. I'd just like to make myself available for selection again."

He continued: "Let me clear one or two things up. I never retired from Scotland - I just asked not be considered. There is a difference.

"George Burley took over from Alex McLeish and I never felt part of his plans. I got the impression he wasn't interested in me, didn't fancy me as a player.

"But I'm not 100 percent sure about that because he never spoke to me.

"At that time I wasn't playing well for Rangers and I wasn't happy within myself. I was frustrated and things at club level were getting on top of me.

"I felt it was best to pull out of the Scotland set-up because my career at Rangers was in danger of going downhill rapidly.

"It was a time to concentrate on myself and be totally selfish. I owed that much to myself and to Rangers."

Former Hearts and Dundee United manager Levein took over from the sacked Burley in December and he immediately made it clear that he would consider for selection any player who had been excluded under his predecessor.