Gerry Taggart has announced his retirement from international football.

Taggs, 32, has decided to quit Northern Ireland so that he can concentrate on City. He won 51 caps but N Ireland boss Sammy McIlroy had decided that Taggs would not be in the squad for upcoming Euro 2004 qualifiers.

McIlroy said,

''I spoke to Gerry last week just to tell him what I was doing with the next squad and that I was going to stick with the young lads."

"He understood about the rebuilding and was talking about getting his own house in order at Leicester City and making their first team.

"Now he has come to the decision to retire from international football and I respect that.

"I actually stopped him from doing it last season but have no ill feeling towards him and wish him well.

"Gerry was a great servant to Northern Ireland and a great character to have around the squad.

"He was a big competitor and one of my many captains.''

Taggs will be in action for the reserves tonight against Cov at Filbert Way as he gets fit and gets over a slight injury.

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