Sasa: We've suffered player boycott, 50 fans saw our last game..but I'd still love to play for Bosnia

Jul 20 2008 Gavin Berry In Germany

SASA PAPAC is ready to end his self-imposed international exile after two years - but fears Walter Smith won't approve.

Rangers were stretched to the limit by a fixture backlog last season and Ibroxmen who starred for their country had a further punishing schedule.

Papac wasn't one of them having stopped playing for Bosnia in 2006 as part of a boycott by top players.

Stars such as Juventus' Hasan Salihamidzic and Sergei Barbarez of Bayer Leverkusen were furious at allegations of corruption involving FA president Iljo Dominkovic and general secretary Munib Usanovic.

But the problem came to a head last month amid a catalogue of chaotic events that saw boss Meho Kodro sacked for refusing to play a friendly against Iran which the federation had arranged. Youth coach Denijal Piric took over for the next friendly against Azerbaijan but players quit in protest, just 50 fans turned up and the media boycotted the match.

Nowveteran Croatian coachMiroslav Blazevic - who led his homeland to the World Cup semi-finals in 1998 - has been appointed and it's being seen as the start of a new era.

Gers defender Papac is willing to be part of it, if there is a promise of stability, and will make a decision in the next couple of weeks.

With Euro 2008 winners Spain and semi-finalists Turkey in their World Cup qualifying group Bosnia will need their best players such as Papac if they're to reach South Africa.

However, having becoming a mainstay in Smith's side he's not sure the Ibrox boss will be happy if the situation is resolved.

Papac said: "I haven't played for Bosnia for years and I'm not sure if I will return for their next game. I must think about it and make a decision.

"It hasn't been a good situation in Bosnia because every six months we changed our manager. It's damaging because you need continuity.

"Players don't want to represent the national team and it's a difficult situation. For me the president is not working for the good of Bosnian football and no one is happy with him. We must wait and see.

"More than 10 players don't want to play and it has been like that for two years. It saddens me.

"It's important for every player to turn out for his country but when you have a bad situation you must make a stand. The players have all stayed together but now we have a new manager so we will see.

"Blazevic was in charge of Croatia at the 1998 World Cup and could be the start of something good - but one man can't change Bosnian football.

"He only started work in the last five days and I must speak to him in the next two weeks before deciding. But the problem is higher than the manager and I don't think he can change too much.

"I haven't spoken to Walter about it yet either - maybe he is happier if I stay here with Rangers and don't play for the national team. That has helped me stay fresher.

"In the last two games Bosnia haven't even had a team. So how can we go to