Jeff Whitley has refused Lawrie Sanchez’s offer of a Northern ireland international olive branch and has seemingly closed the lid on his international career.

Sanchez has recently written a letter to the Cardiff City midfielder telling him that he would arrange for the IFA Media Officer to consult with Whitley and help him draft a formal apology to the IFA and the Northern Ireland supporters who he let down with his pre-match antics in breaking a curfew with Phil Mulryne last year.

If he had agreed then Sanchez would have welcomed him back into the fold for next month’s tour of the US but Whitley has flat out refused to apologise and instead told Sanchez he had already booked a holiday for that time.

The latest incident has effectively signalled the end of Whitley’s time in the green and white shirt and despite Lawrie Sanchez telling him that he was one of his best players in his first 18 months in charge, Whitley doesn’t seem too bothered.

As a Northern Ireland fan I can assure Jeff Whitley that players with attitudes like his aren’t welcome at Windsor Park. Lawrie Sanchez has taken a welcome tough stance against several players during his time as manager and I back him fully with every one. You’re either with us or against us, there can be no half hearted measures on the pitch or off it and I’d rather have 11 Irish League players with a desire to play for the jersey than English lower league prima donnas who think they are doing our wee country a favour.

Good riddance.