Matteo Had To Quit Scotland

Last updated : 07 September 2003 By Kevin Markey

Matteo gained six caps for Scotland before retiring from international football citing that his knee would not be able to deal with the rigours of so much football.

The 29-year-old received a barrage of criticism from pundits north of the border, who claimed the former England U-21 international had never been committed to the Scots' cause.

But he told the Sunday Mail's Sport Monthly magazine: "I would love to be playing for Scotland without any problems but it just can't be.

"I visited a specialist in Munich called Dr Hans Mueller-Wolfhart and he painted a clear picture.

"He tried everything. I had goose liver, calf's liver and juices from a turkey's head injected into me.

"The bottom line was that something had to go and I decided to give up playing for my country.

"Leeds pay my wages and they have to come first."

Matteo added: "I'd had trouble since my days at Liverpool and actually failed my medical at Leeds.

"But David O'Leary wanted me and made sure the transfer went ahead."