Sometimes I had to pull out of squads – but it was always genuine, says former Rangers and Holland star Ronald de Boer

THERE were times Ronald de Boer played through the pain barrier to represent Holland.

He also ignored the recommendations of club bosses to stay away from the international scene.

That’s why he gained 67 caps for his country, and appeared in World Cups and European Championships.

He was proud to wear the Oranje jersey.

But that was around 20 years ago, and times have changed.

It appears now, more than ever, there is increasing pressure on players to stay loyal to their clubs and ignore their country.

There is so much at stake financially, the players’ day-to-day employers don’t want any of their key men getting injured.

Losing their main men could cost them more than £100m, if it led to the club being relegated.

For the individual, that could mean a wage cut of around 50%, in the region of £1m per year for many.

In the build-up to the vital Nations League matches in Albania on Saturday, and at home to Israel three days later, for various reasons Scotland manager Alex McLeish is without four key players – Robert Snodgrass, Matt Ritchie, Tom Cairney and James McArthur.

The first three have made themselves temporarily unavailable for selection. McArthur has retired permanently.

It’s not what the Scotland boss needed going into the vital double header.

De Boer has every sympathy for Big Eck, who was his manager at Rangers back in the early 2000s.

The Dutchman told The Sunday Post: “I know there are important games coming up for Scotland, and the manager would want to have every player available for selection.

“Whether you are in club football or international football, you need your best players.

“I’m quite sure that many international managers will be facing similar problems in terms of the availability of players.

“There is so much at stake now at club level, whether you are at the top or at the bottom. There is high pressure, every day of every week.

“Back in my time as a footballer, I loved playing for my country. It was special.

“Sometimes I had to pull out of squads because of knee problems – but the call-offs were always genuine.

“The truth is that I wanted to be part of the international squad. I loved being with the other players and the international manager and coaches.

“It was a chance to improve my game, and learn from the guys I was with for one or two weeks. You had to use it as an education.

“For so many different reasons, it was a wonderful opportunity.

“I know my brother, Frank, felt the same and that’s why he has more than 100 caps for Holland.

“He never wasted an opportunity be part of it all.

“We were so proud to play together, and help our country win as many football games as possible.

“Alex McLeish may be facing problems with some players. But he has to forget about them and concentrate on the players who will be turning up for duty.

“That has to be his focus. He can control that situation but he can’t control the other things.

“Alex is a very experienced manager, and I know how he works. At Rangers, he was excellent at the man-management of the players and got everyone together and working towards success.

“When he took over from Dick Advocaat, it was refreshing. Alex was energetic and enthusiastic.

“He was knowledgeable and technically on a very good level as a coach. There was intensity and a purpose to all of his training sessions.

“I liked that as it’s the way it should be. I have a lot of respect for him as a person and as a football man.

“As we all know, you must find a way to win games of football. That’s what Alex and his coaching staff will be trying to do with the players they have available.

“I think Scotland have a good chance of finishing top of their section as the draw was quite favourable for them.

“They have to believe and have confidence.

“I think Alex has good players, starting with the goalkeeper, Allan McGregor.

“He has been in brilliant form all season for Rangers and, although he lost four goals, he made some fantastic saves the other night against Spartak Moscow.

“Andrew Robertson is the No.1 left full-back at Liverpool, and to have the trust of Jurgen Klopp just shows the level of ability the player has. It’s a huge compliment.

“From middle to front, James Forrest has been in very good form for Celtic, and showing his ability at a high level.

“So all in all, the signs appear to be fairly good.”

If McLeish doesn’t finish top of Group C1, there will be calls for him to be replaced by the SFA. De Boer thinks that would be harsh, and said: “Alex has been in the job for less than one year.

“It is unfair to talk about any manager losing his job when he has his destiny in his own hands in the next two games.

“Good results will see Scotland guaranteed a play-off spot for Euro 2020. So, please, there shouldn’t be negativity around the country.

“International football is very difficult and the lines between success and failure are very thin.

“You only need to look at the Netherlands.

“We were in the World Cup Final in 2010 in South Africa, and the semi-finals in 2014.

“We then missed out on Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Russia. We didn’t see that coming.

“So, every now and again, a little reminder is needed not to take anything for granted, and be appreciative of how difficult international football is.

“I want to see Scotland being successful.

“I have a real affection in my heart for the country. I was treated very well when I played my football there for Glasgow Rangers.

“I get goosebumps when I go back, and the wonderful feelings the supporters give me. It’s very special.

“I hope for Alex’s sake that the team gets the right results. He deserves success and Scotland deserves to be back in the major tournaments.

“To be away from it all for 20 years is far too long. This could be the moment. You must believe in this.

”Holland have had problems at international level in the past three or four years, and we are starting to turn the corner.

“But it takes time and patience. It also takes togetherness.

“You must all be pulling in the same direction. That is one of the most important messages.

“The good teams always have that. Collectively, they must be all for one, and willing to make sacrifices for their team-mates. The Scotland players must be ready to do this, and I’m sure they will be. Alex and his staff will have them in good spirits and they will be confident of getting the right results.

”Depending on the result in Albania, there will be lots of pressure in the game at Hampden against Israel.

“The passion and the noise of the Scotland supporters will be important under such circumstances.

“It will be of great benefit to the players if they have the full backing of the stadium.

“That can make such a huge difference.”