Scholes, 37, retired at the end of last season but made a surprise comeback off the bench for the Reds in their FA Cup win over Manchester City this week.  

For Bolton, the topic of retirement is becoming a familiar question at press conferences.

But the 36-year-old former Sydney FC shot-stopper made it absolutely clear today that once he makes the decision, there’ll be no turning back the clock. 

“No chance! I’ll be out in the wilderness somewhere fishing so you won’t be able to contact me. That won’t be an option," he said.

"Maybe I’ll just hang the gloves up, keep the boots and play some over 35s as a striker.

“That’s where I started as a striker, scoring bagfuls of goals. Why not?”

And Bolton hinted if Heart – currently in third spot on equal points with Brisbane Roar in second – were to win the title, it might be the perfect send-off to his storied career.

“I guess to go out on that note would be a nice thing,” he said. “I don’t want to overstay my welcome. I want to go out at the right time. I don’t want to drag it out in any way.

“I come to the end of each season and that’s when I make a decision.”

Heart are still behind the top two sides in class, added the Heart keeper.

“There was a sniff there of a championship [before the Adelaide loss] but that was what it was, a sniff.

“Brisbane and Central Coast, they are the real deal and that’s what we’re striving to be. Most games they make a statement.

“So we’re probably just below those teams but my mind is firmly focused on having a run at the championship.

“We got a sniff but I’d hate to think we come to the end of the season and look back and say, ‘what if?’”

Bolton has been in eye-catching form for most of this season exemplified by his man of the match showing on the Gold Coast last Sunday.

And Bolton felt that with three games in six days starting with Perth on Sunday at AAMI Park, January will define the red and whites’ season.

“It’ll test us. If it’s like today’s [weather] we can get through it but if it’s steaming hot, who knows?

“But this little period here will gauge whether we are top of the table or mid-table.”

Meanwhile the popular keeper will rack up another milestone this weekend moving up to second place in the all-time national league appearances if he plays against Glory. 

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