COLIN Hendry confirmed last night that he has played his last game for Blackburn Rovers.

In his first interview since dropping the bombshell that he was leaving Ewood Park, Hendry revealed that it was a case of putting family values above everything for the first time in his career.

Rovers fans will find his imminent departure hard to take but he claimed that he expects a deal to be struck with Rangers soon.

Clearly emotional after the biggest decision of his career, Hendry wanted the fans to know why he was going.

"It is an accumulation of things. I am from Scotland and my three children have not had ready-made grandparents," he said.

"They will be going back there to find something that they haven't experienced before in the 11 years I have been in England.

"And from my parents' point of view, and Denise's parents, they are going to have the experience of having three extra grandchildren around. "The domestic side is the one that came over to me during the World Cup campaign when the family all got together and were very close.

"It meant that if it ever occurred that a club like Rangers were to come along - and there is only one club in Scotland - that would appeal to me at this late stage of my career.

"I have always said that Blackburn is my home South of the border and I would like to think it will continue to be. But the one thing Blackburn couldn't give me is my real home.

"I just hope people will understand. I don't think they will accept it at the minute. They will be feeling bitter. But, in time, hopefully they will accept it.

"When the prospect of staying for another four years came up there was a passing comment from one of our parents - 'If you don't come home now you never will.'

"I thought to myself that was not far away from the truth and the people who brought me into the world deserved something.

"My wife Denise has always given everything for me to have the career I have had and my parents have always helped me, as have my close relations. "By making this step, I feel I would be giving back some of the enjoyment that I have had to the family.

"I am captain of Scotland and, as it was intimated to me, I would be captain of Rangers. I could not give my mum and dad any bigger an honour than for them to be part of that and be close to it."

Hendry decided to speak to the fans as he did not feel his side of things had been covered adequately in the statement issued by the club.

"I am convinced the situation will be resolved and they are going to agree a fee," he said.

"I was hoping that the statement the club released would not have been so bland - the fact that it was all one-sided about how desperate I was to leave. There was no reason given apart from one line in the statement.

"It is nothing personal, I don't hate Blackburn, the town or the people. I love everybody.

"But surely I am allowed to have a certain amount of emotion and dignity and have a choice about it.

"I know I signed a contract but it is an emotional issue. I have appreciated and enjoyed virtually every minute here, and people know deep down what I think about the club and the sort of relationship I have with them and Blackburn Rovers.

"Time is a great healer but I know that is of no consolation to people just now."

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