Horlock calls time on his Norther Ireland career
By Foley87
March 27 2003
City midfielder, Kevin Horlock has decided to bring to a close his international career. Manchester City midfielder Kevin Horlock has withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad to play in Armenia on Saturday afternoon and has decided to retire from international football.

The thirty-year-old had been included in Sammy McIlroy's squad for Northern Ireland's Euro qualifiers against Armenia on Saturday and Greece on Tuesday and was set to add to his thirty international caps.

The former West Ham and Swindon midfielder made his debut for Northern Ireland in January 1995 against Latvia and had been ever present in the international squad since.

He has now decided to bring a close to his career for family reasons admitting the decision was not an easy one.

"It is with regret that I announce my retirement from international football. This has been a difficult decision to make, and one which I have taken after due discussion with my family."

"I wish to stress that this decision has been made for family and personal reasons alone," he explained.

"I feel very proud to have represented Northern Ireland over the past 10 years, and I have the greatest respect for the coach Sammy McIlroy, his back-room staff and my team mates."

"I would like to take this opportunity to wish the Northern Ireland team all the very best for the future and for their forthcoming Euro 2004 qualifiers."

The midfielder, who has made thirty League and Cup appearances this season for the Blues will now concentrate on his career in the Premiership, knows he will have to work hard to stay part of Kevin Keegan's plans.

"I am desperate to stay part of it as long as possible. They have been six happy years for me and I want to hang in there as long as possible."

"I know I am going to have to work hard just to stay in Kevin Keegan's plans."

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