Kris Boyd, the Rangers striker, confirmed yesterday that he will no longer make himself available for selection for Scotland as long as George Burley remains in charge. The news was a further blow for the Scotland manager after Saturday’s disappointing 0-0 draw against Norway at Hampden Park.

Boyd started and finished the match on the bench, and it proved the final straw for the Ibrox striker. Having now played just 28 minutes for Scotland in six matches since Burley took charge, Boyd yesterday made withering comments while announcing that he would no longer wish to play for the national manager.

“I’ve won two cups with Rangers, so what more does he [Burley] want?” Boyd said. “I’m now fifth in the pecking order, so what more can I do? I’ll never play under him [Burley] again. It’s the same situation as Lee [McCulloch].” McCulloch retired from Scotland international duty last month, allegedly due to issues concerning Burley, though the Rangers player later vehemently denied this, citing family reasons for his decision.

Boyd confirmed that he contacted both Burley and Gordon Smith, the SFA chief executive, on Saturday night to relay his decision, while also emphasising that he hoped his long-term Scotland career would not be over.

“I left a message on George Burley’s phone but I didn’t think that just leaving a message was very professional, so I also spoke with Gordon Smith and informed him of my decision,” Boyd said. “I will not be playing for George Burley again, but I hope to be back in a Scotland jersey again one day.”

Burley himself took the news stoically yesterday, and said he regretted Boyd’s decision. The Scotland manager also had to fend off further criticism of his tactics in the Norway game, as well as his decision not to introduce Boyd at any stage in the match. Burley brought on Chris Iwelumo and Steven Fletcher instead, with Iwelumo missing a glaring chance midway through the second half.

“I’ve spoken with Kris and he told me that he was disappointed not to play on Saturday or in the last couple of matches,” Burley said. “He said that he did not want to be considered for future Scotland squads so that he can concentrate on his club career. It’s disappointing that he has chosen to do this at a crucial time in our World Cup campaign, but it’s his decision, and I will, of course, respect it.”

Asked why he had decided on Saturday not to utilise Boyd, the Scotland manager said that he went with “a certain balance” in terms of his use instead of Iwelumo and Fletcher as second-half substitutes.

“I felt that big Chris would give Norway problems in the air, but Chris himself is 6ft 4in and he needs a bit of movement around him, and I know that Fletcher has got that,” Burley said. “Steven is a very clever player, and I thought that combination would be right. When they did come on they worked very well together.”

Meanwhile, Smith, the SFA chief executive, last night urged Boyd to change his mind. “It’s a shame that Kris is not going to be available for us in the future, but it’s his decision and we have to go along with it,” Smith said. “But he may change his mind and, hopefully, he will because he is a very important player in the squad.

“Lee McCulloch said it was because of his personal circumstances. If Kris Boyd is saying it’s because of George Burley, then that’s unfortunate. He didn’t play yesterday, he didn’t come on as a substitute, so maybe he has got upset.

“But if Kris spent a bit more time thinking about it, he might change his mind. Maybe it was a quick reaction to how he feels.”