Dan Parks' Test career divided opinion from the outset, the flyhalf's inclusion in the squad for the first match of Matt Williams' brief reign as Scotland coach being viewed in some quarters as undermining the most popular player in the country.

To this day, there are those who believe Chris Paterson was set up to fail when, just months after his emergency move to stand-off salvaged the 2003 World Cup campaign, the Borderer was asked to be the team's play-maker, goal-kicker and captain at the start of the 2004 Six Nations Championship.

That partly explains Parks' enduring unpopularity with a significant section of Scotland supporters, since he had arrived in the Scotland team as a virtual unknown, midway through a first season with Glasgow Warriors that had been dominated to that point by a World Cup.

He was tarnished, too, by association with fellow Sydney-sider Williams, who made ill-advised comments, early in his time in Scotland, about the inadequacies of homegrown players.

The corollary of that is that there was a sinister edge to the way some, as with the Australian Brendan Laney before him, found it rather too easy to blame all of Scotland's failings on a player they regarded as an import. That he was booed on to the Murrayfield pitch by a section of the home support in 2008 should remain a source of deep shame for those responsible. What is beyond doubt is that for much of his career, particularly with successive Edinburgh coaches refusing to field Paterson at stand-off, Parks was indisputably the best player in the country in his position, almost revered by Glasgow Warriors supporters for his performances in setting the Magners League's record points haul.

Admittedly he let himself and his team-mates and coaches down on occasions with poor off-field behaviour, but on it he performed manfully for the country of his forebears in accruing 67 caps, 266 Test points and a Scottish record 17 drop-goals.

On a personal level, while Scotland's results did not reflect his efforts, his comeback in 2010 after Andy Robinson seemed to have signalled the end of his career by leaving him out of his first squad on being appointed Scotland's head coach, was an extraordinary triumph.

Winning three man-of-the-match awards in the course of a 2010 RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign in which Scotland won just one match, was a monumental effort while there was even more satisfaction in Argentina where he helped steer the national side to a first Test series win.

However, he identified the 2007 World Cup as his happiest time, for personal reasons as well as performing well enough to be named player of the tournament by his team-mates.

"That was my first World Cup, something that as a youngster you would always aspire to play in and it was just such a happy, exciting, positive time. It was also where I met my girlfriend, Laetitia," he explained.

"Other memorable moments have been the two wins against England at home [2006 and 2008], the win against South Africa here at Murrayfield, the two wins in Argentina in 2010 and one in 2008 and the Ireland game in 2010 which was a great occasion.

"I was proud of myself in the way I came back from trouble off the pitch in order to regain my position firstly within the Glasgow team and then the Scotland team. I want to say a massive thank you to my family and close friends. They've been invaluable for their constant support over the years.

"I also want to thank the loyal fans of the Scotland team. It's been a rocky road for me at times but at the end I've always given 100% to play at my best and succeed for Scotland."

Not yet ready to quit playing altogether, the 33-year-old hinted at a return to Glasgow in some capacity.

"This is not the end of me as a rugby player," he said. "My international career is over but I want to keep playing club rugby. I always enjoyed my time in Glasgow. It's one of the great cities I've visited, so who knows what will happen in the future."

It was significant yesterday that, having selected him for the opening game of the Six Nations, head coach Andy Robinson said he had done the right thing in retiring.

"I have really enjoyed working with Dan. He wasn't in my first Scotland squads but through his own determination, hard work, skill and competitive spirit he forced his way back into selection. It's never an easy decision to make, but I feel Dan has made the right decision and thank him for his contribution over the years," he said.

There were warm tributes, too, from long-standing colleagues at either end of the M8.

"The reaction of all the guys when Parksy announced his retirement said it all . . . stunned silence and emotion," said Mike Blair, the Edinburgh scrum-half who frequently partnered Parks at half-back.

"Dan is a hugely popular and respected member of the squad and his contribution to some of Scotland's most famous victories cannot be under-estimated.

"2010 sticks in my mind the most. Dan coming back from the wilderness to win man- of-the-match awards against Wales, Italy, Ireland, South Africa and Argentina in that year just showed how resilient and competitive he is. His humour, talent and energy will certainly be missed around the Scotland camp."

Al Kellock, who was Parks' captain at Glasgow Warriors for five years as well as, like Blair, for Scotland, struck a similar note.

"International rugby has enormous highs and lows and it's testament to the credibility of Dan's character that he managed to bring positivity to every day he was involved.

"It's been a huge privilege to have played with him over so many years for Glasgow and Scotland."