Preston midfielder Paul Gallagher has told BBC Radio Lancashire that he hasn’t actually retired from international duty.
Gallagher, now 35, has made himself a Preston hero over the last six years. Having already had one loan spell with the club in 2007, Gallagher returned to Deepdale in October 2013.
Gallagher notched 23 goals in two seasons on loan at Deepdale, and made his move permanent in 2015 after promotion to League One. His reinvention as a deep-lying playmaker has been remarkable, having initially been a forward in his first spell at the club.
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Even well into his 30’s, Gallagher is one of the most influential players in the Championship. He dictates play for Preston, remains our most creative force and has formed a superb partnership with Ben Pearson.
Gallagher simply shows no signs of slowing down, but there’s one baffling part of his career; his lack of international recognition with Scotland
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Born in Glasgow, Gallagher did earn a Scotland cap in 2004, when he was emerging with Blackburn Rovers. However, in the ensuring 15 years, Gallagher has never been given that elusive second cap.
Scotland have been through eight managers in that time, and a whole host of qualifying campaigns, yet still no second call-up for Gallager, who has mostly played Championship football over the last 10 years.
Now, Gallagher has admitted that his lack of international football has been ‘disappointing’. Gallagher feels that he deserves to have more caps to his name, but has merely used it to further his club career and continue to shine for Preston.
Gallagher also admitted that he saw West Ham ace Robert Snodgrass retire from international football earlier this week, and confirmed that he hasn’t actually retired from Scotland duty, leaving the door open for a recall if Steve Clarke wants an experienced head to replace Snodgrass.
“To only have one cap is disappointing for me,” said Gallagher. “I look over my career, I’ve played at a decent level, I’ve played in a league where players have been called up, I’ve played in successful teams that have been at the top end of the table, never really been in a relegation battle. So yeah, that’s a disappointing thing, but I always took it as ‘okay, if I’m not getting called up, I’ll always do better for my club’. It gives you more time to prepare and do well for your club.”
“I see Robert Snodgrass has come out and retired, he’s been a great servant obviously for Scotland. I’ve never come out and said I’ve retired – looking now, I could still do a job. That’s just me as a player; I’m hungry, I want to carry on, I want to play, I want to do the best I can, and play at the highest level,” he added.