Republic of Ireland

Wes Hoolahan hints at international retirement

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 28 March 2016

Republic of Ireland midfielder Wes Hoolahan admits that he will have a decision to make regarding his international future after Euro 2016.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Wes Hoolahan has hinted that he could retire from international football after Euro 2016.

The 33-year-old only made his first competitive start for his country in June 2013 and has since gone on to win 26 caps ahead of Tuesday's friendly with Slovakia.

Hoolahan insists that he has not yet thought about this summer's tournament or beyond due to Norwich City's current relegation struggles, but he admits that he will have a decision to make at the end of the season.

"There are a few senior players in the squad and I'm one of them. I'll be 34 by the time the Euros are played which means when the next World Cup comes around I am going to be 36," he told the Irish Sun.

"I haven't really thought about whether I'll play on, but I will see how the summer goes and probably make a decision then. My contract with Norwich runs until 2017. I love it there, I've been there for eight years. It's not really my decision as to whether I stay on, so all those things are up in the air.

"I haven't thought about the Euros too much because of the situation we are in at Norwich. We're near the bottom and we have seven massive games to make ourselves safe, and I'm concentrating on that. If I can help us stay up, then I can look forward to the Euros, if I'm picked. I'm not just saying that. I don't take anything for granted because there are so many great players here."

Ireland have been drawn in Group E alongside Belgium, Italy and Sweden at Euro 2016.