Former Scotland star Matt Ritchie earns lorry license in post retirement plans

Former Scotland international Matt Ritchie has begun his post-football retirement plans earning a license to drive large goods vehicles.

The 34-year-old Newcastle United midfielder passed his test with Tyne and Wear LGV on Thursday afternoon, less than 24 hours after playing in the English Premier League.

Ritchie has 16 international caps, with the latest coming in 2018, and scored 3 goals at that level with strikes coming in friendly wins over Denmark and Qatar and a draw with Poland in the unsuccessful qualifying campaign for Euro 2016.

Born in England he has spent all of his club career south of the border with spells at clubs including Swindon Town and Bournemouth before earning a move to St James Park eight years ago.

During his time with the English Premier League club he has made over 200 appearances, including 14 this season, and scored 25 goals.

Most recently he has found game time limited and has mainly been used in a wing-back position under current manager Eddie Howe.

He came off the bench for the dying minutes of the 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Wednesday before passing his LGV test on Thursday morning.

Well done Matt Richie just passed his test with Tyne and Wear Lgv . Get in lad 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/JwWukXG96s
— colin smith (@colinsm49915463) April 25, 2024

And with his current contract expiring in the summer, and the fact he will turn 35 in September, he could now be turning his attention to an unlikely post-football career.

A picture was posted on social media showing his standing with his practical driving test pass certificate with the caption “Well done Matt Richie just passed his test with Tyne and Wear LGV . Get in lad.”