RYAN GIGGS will today announce his shock decision to retire from international football. The Wales skipper has decided to call it a day in a bid to extend his career at Manchester United. And the revelation comes just three days ahead of Wales’ crunch Euro 2008 clash with the Czech Republic — when he is due to win his 64th cap.Giggs, 33, won a record-breaking ninth League title with United this season and played a major part in their triumph. He is just 43 appearances adrift of matching Bobby Charlton’s club landmark of 759 games. But with his Old Trafford contract due to expire next summer, Giggs effectively has one season left to do it.
He follows in the footsteps of United team-mate Paul Scholes, who quit England in 2004 and has reaped the benefits for his club. The news will come as a huge blow to coach John Toshack, who made Giggs his captain in the hope the wing ace would play on until the 2010 World Cup.
But Giggs has found the demands of club and country huge after playing 44 games for United boss Alex Ferguson this term. Wales are unlikely to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals next summer after losing three of the first five games.
