Ritchie's comeback turns sour

Scotland defender Paul Ritchie has vowed to recover from his nightmare re-introduction to international football and prove to Berti Vogts he has a future at the top level.

Nothing went right for the ex-Hearts and Rangers man, who is now at Walsall, during his side’s 4-0 mauling by Wales in Cardiff.

His first cap for four years began badly when Robert Earnshaw netted the opening strike of a hat-trick in the very first minute, with the move having begun when Ritchie surrendered possession.

And he was on the spot but unable to intervene for the other three goals as well, including substitute Gareth Taylor’s first for Wales in nine years of trying.

He said: “I’m deeply, deeply disappointed. I worked so hard to get back here and I have let a few people down.

“It was one of those games and not the way I wanted it to happen, but I have come back from things before and, fingers crossed, I can do it again.

“People make mistakes but for me the game was one big mistake.”