Robin van Persie: 'I will not run away from Netherlands'

Robin van Persie has stated that he has no intention of ending his international career despite the Netherlands' failure to qualify for Euro 2016.

The Oranje finished fourth in qualification Group A as Danny Blind's men lost their must-win visit of the Czech Republic 3-2, with Van Persie finding the net at both ends.

Even victory would have been irrelevant for the Dutch - who finished third in the World Cup 15 months ago - after Turkey sealed third place with a 1-0 win over Iceland, but the veteran striker will not call time on his international career on a sour note.

"I'm not one to run away from difficult situations, I won't do so now either," he is quoted as saying by De Telegraaf. "We will have to bite, for almost a year, on a very sour apple and we must all go through it – the players, the fans, the media, everyone.

"A lot has happened, I'm going to have a quiet think about it. But as I see it now, I'll just stay available. I still think it's a great honour to play for Oranje. In good, but also in bad times.

"I'm not someone who runs away from his responsibilities in difficult situations. Giving up is not an option. Though of course it depends on whether I am called."

The former Arsenal and Manchester United man has 101 caps for his country.