Max Aarons reacts to retirement news away from Rangers as best wishes sent
Rangers ace Max Aarons has reacted to the news that defender Kyle Walker has retired from England duty.
The 35-year-old announced on Tuesday that he had decided to call time on his England career after chalking up 96 caps for his country.
The Burnley full-back, who last played for England against Senegal in June 2025, said it had been a “whirlwind of a journey” but it was time to move on.
The former Manchester City and Tottenham player has had a glittering career, winning six Premier League crowns, two FA Cups, four Carabao Cups, and the Champions League.
Now, Rangers loanee Aarons, who was not in the squad for the Gers’ Scottish Cup quarter-final loss to Celtic on Sunday, has joined the well-wishers following Walker’s international retirement news.
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Kyle Walker opens up on England retirement
Walker, who is currently in the first year of a two-year deal at relegation-threatened Burnley, made his England debut against Spain in November 2011.
Since then, he has become a key player for the Three Lions, with Walker playing at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, in addition to the 2016, 2021 and 2024 European Championships.
While he was a stalwart under previous boss Gareth Southgate, Walker is not part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Even though he was unlikely to get another call-up, Walker has made this decision, with Aarons liking his post on Instagram.
Part of his message reads: “I am sad to be making this decision, but I’m also very proud of what I’ve achieved with England.
“Today is the time that comes to an end. It’s good for me to have a little bit of closure to my career on the international stage.”
Plenty of other current and former pros sent their well wishes to Walker.
Walker and Aarons have never played together but may have crossed paths while they were representing England and England Under-21s.
Both were seen as bright young talents but their careers have gone in very different directions.
Max Aarons’ career stalls after last-minute decision
Aarons swapped Bournemouth for Rangers on loan last summer and despite making 31 appearances for the Scottish giants, he hasn’t set the world alight at Ibrox.
In the Scottish Premiership, he has started just eight times, with his last cameo appearance coming in early February in a 5-1 win over Kilmarnock.
Aarons is currently out injured, but his last league start was back on 21 December, which came eight matches before he was not in the squad to face Motherwell on 11 February.
Even if fit, there is no guarantee he will start in Danny Rohl’s side, with Dujon Sterling currently the club’s first-choice right-back.
Not a lot has gone right for Aarons since joining the Cherries in 2023. He has featured just 23 times for them, before having a disappointing loan at Valencia last season.
Aarons had the chance to move to Leeds United in 2023 before a last-gasp move from Bournemouth hijacked an Elland Road switch. How different could things have been if he had not done that? We will never know. But it may have proven to be the wrong decision.
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