 |  Thatcher is probably more focused on playing for Manchester City than for Wales |
Former Wales captain Kevin Ratcliffe has slated Ben Thatcher's decision to stop playing international football. Thatcher, eligible for Wales through his grandmother, claims he has been poorly treated by the Wales management.
But Ratcliffe said: "You can't question his commitment to his club, but I think there is a question over his country - our country, maybe not his country.
"Obviously, when you are born and bred in Wales, playing for Wales is one, if not the, highlight of your career."
Thatcher, 29, says his position in the Wales squad has become "untenable" following the events leading up to the last two World qualifiers in September.
The former England Under-21 captain has refused to go into details, but it is understood he objected to Wales sending an independent doctor to assess the ankle injury which forced him to withdraw from the squad to face England and Poland.
Despite insisting he has not retired from international football, it seems highly unlikely that Thatcher will play during Toshack's reign.
Toshack has also closed the door on Robbie Savage's possible return to Wales duty despite the Blackburn midfielder reversing his original decision to retire from Wales duty.
Ratcliffe, who won 59 caps for Wales and captained Everton to league and FA Cup triumphs, is backing Toshack's stance and says he has no sympathy for Thatcher's plight.
He insists no player has the right to dictate when or where he plays for his country.
"Thatcher is probably more focused on playing for Manchester City than for Wales," Ratcliffe told BBC Wales Sport.
"John [Toshack] has got to make a stance and set his stall out and he's doing that. We countrymen have got to back him on that.
"It's a big disappointment losing another Premiership player because we aren't blessed with an abundance of Premiership players."
Former Wales striker Malcolm Allen, though, believes Thatcher has a right to feel aggrieved.
Allen said: "I think any professional player would be unhappy when a manager questions his commitment to the side.
"I've known Ben for a long time - he used to clean my boots when he was an apprentice at Millwall. He's a great professional.
"Once again, we're losing a big presence in the changing room - exactly the same as happened with Robbie Savage.
"We are also losing a player who plays week-in-week-out in the English Premiership."
MMIX
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