Lee McCulloch ready to return to international fold for Craig Levein

The Rangers midfielder quit the national team in September 2008 while George Burley was at helm in a bid to concentrate on his club career. However, the 31-year-old says he is ready to pull on the dark blue jersey again and is eager 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."

McCulloch is adamant he had never officially retired from international duty and maintains he simply felt unwanted under Burley. He said: "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 per cent 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 in my best interests 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."