Rangers centre-half Colin Hendry broke his silence yesterday over his problems with the club and admitted he could be forced to leave if his international career was endangered by a lengthy spell on the bench.

Hendry faced up his worries with the same honesty he brings with him on to the field, refusing to duck questions and admitting in a very matter-of-fact way that he was now simply a ''squad player'' with the Scottish treble winners.

While he is still seen as Scotland captain by the inter-national team manager, Craig Brown, he has failed to impose his qualities as a defender and as a leader on Dutch coach Dick Advocaat.

Yesterday, Hendry confirmed that he had been told by Adovcaat a few days before the cup final that he would not be a first-choice player when the new season begins. He said: ''I had a talk with the manager because I wanted to consult with him over the operation I was having in the close season.

''During the chat I asked how he had felt about the season which was by then almost over and he told me then that I would not be one of his first-choice players in this coming season.

''He indicated quite clearly that his preferred partnership was Lorenzo Amoruso and Craig Moore. That was it. It was a straightforward management decision which he had made.

''There is nothing that I can do about that except wait to see how things work out. There were no hard words between us. There was no fall-out of any kind, no argy bargy. We talked as adults and I have always found him to be very open and honest and I hope he sees me as being the same with him.''

Hendry insists he has no regrets over making the move from Blackburn to Rangers last summer in a #4m deal even though it might now go sour on him.

For the moment he has decided that regaining full fitness after his groin operation in Belgium five weeks ago is his main priority.

The rehabilitation programme set by the surgeon is eight to 12 weeks and while Hendry says he might be ready for the start of the season, he knows that a more realistic starting date is the middle to the end of August.

This operation and the new programme of fitness following sur-gery, means that the groin problems which have troubled the player in the past are now history.

He pointed out: ''It is only when I am fit and ready to play that I will be able to assess my position. Things change quickly in football. Take a look down south at the Premiership and watch the number of players who are bought then moved on within a few months. It is the way the game has gone.

''Obviously I am disappointed, more especially as I have had to explain things to my children and that has not been easy. I also just moved into a house out Stirling way a couple of months back and that is another problem I have.

''However, I have to get on with my life and my career. I'm sure there will be supporters saying I should not worry too much but just sit back and take the money. I would not be able to do that. It's not my style.''

That is an attitude Advocaat recognises and the coach has told Hendry that he appreciates the position he will be in because, as a player himself, he was never happy unless he was playing every week.

Essentially, Hendry knows he will not be in the team unless one of the first-choice players is injured. That could happen soon after he is ready to play himself, or it may not happen. That is where the dilemma over his current Ibrox position lies. If he does not play regularly then it is unlikely he would be able to retain his Scotland place - and he knows that.

Accepting a hypothetical situation which could even see him as a spectator if the nation does reach the finals of the European Championships in Holland and Belgium next summer, Hendry conceded: ''If my Scotland place was in danger because I had not been playing regularly and time was running out, then I would be forced to re-assess my position with the club.

''I know I could not be picked if I was on the bench all the time. I would not want that to happen.

''First of all, I have to get myself fit. I am working with the physios and I shall have to wait and see how I progress. It is a fact I have to accept, however, that I am now a squad player.''

Of course, that was not how he was viewed when he first arrived, although suggestions that he was to be made club captain did not come true as Advocaat stood by Amoruso even when the Italian was suffering a poor spell of form.

Looking back on the transfer, Hendry did remark: ''Some of the things which were promised did not materialise, that's true. But I am not here to complain.

''I want to stress there has been no disagreement. I would never have returned to Scotland for any club but Rangers. This is a fantastic club and what is happening does not change my views. This is part of modern day football.

''I will be 34 in December but I didn't envisage stepping down from the first team this season. I was prepared for that to happen another year down the line when the manager might have wanted to move in younger players gradually and I was ready to help that happen. Now, it has all changed.

''But I still believe in my own ability and that has always helped me in the past. I played 32 games last season and that was okay considering I was suspended for a few games and was ineligible for some of the European matches.''

It does not seem likely that Hendry will play the same number of games this season - certainly not for Rangers.

It would appear the defender will have to leave if he hopes to keep his place with Scotland. Decision time on his Rangers career will surely come in the autumn.