Nottingham Forest midfielder Xaver Schlager did not hide his anger over the relentless fixture schedule after his latest international appearance.

Schlager played every minute of Austria's 1-1 draw away to Kosovo in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday.

It was Schlager's fourth consecutive full game, having played every single minute throughout the international break.

Such relentless demand came to a head following their final game, the 1-1 draw with Kosovo, when the 29-year-old exploded in a furious rant following the game.

As well as voicing concern over what has been an enduring schedule, Schlager also fumed over pitch conditions.

In a post-match interview, published by Heute, the new Forest signing highlighted the issues, which he said made playing football almost impossible.

"The match was extremely close to the limit," he insisted. "Playing directly was impossible; every ball you controlled bounced erratically.

"It had little to do with football," the Leipzig player fumed. "It was basically just kicking the ball forward, fighting, and hoping the referee would whistle for something.

"I feel sorry for everyone who had to watch that today. It was truly awful. It's the fourth game in two weeks, that's insane.

"Then they tell you to conserve energy, keep the ball moving – and then you have a pitch you can't play on. What am I supposed to say?"

His rant seemed to reach boiling point when he appeared to threaten to retire from international if the issues persisted in the future.

"I don't need to play football if I have a two-week window and then end up with a spot like this," he said. "I'm sorry, but then I might as well stay home and do something more worthwhile."

Schlager's explosive tirade was not limited to the schedule and conditions, however, as he also unloaded his thoughts on the officiating in Austria's draw with Kosovo.

"Apparently, VAR doesn't exist either," he remarked. "Someone hits me, even if it's unintentional.

"But that's what VAR is for. Nobody dares to do anything, I don't know, as long as we have games, games, games. But how we feel about it is ultimately irrelevant."

Schlager's frustrations certainly do not stem from a struggle to form, as he has enjoyed a terrific start to the season so far.

Since joining Forest on a free transfer from RB Leipzig in the summer, the first addition to Oliver Glasner's squad, featured in every game for the Reds so far this season, including starting four of their five opening Premier League games.

Amid the intense schedule, Schlager enjoyed a personal high as he twice captained Austria, in their win over Kosovo (in the home tie), and their draw away to Ireland in Dublin.

Forest fans, and Glasner, will be hoping that Schlager returns ready for action, despite his suggestion that the past fortnight has taken a significant toll on him.