Ferguson And Mcgregor Could Return

[Westhill Red]

Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith says Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor could play for the national team again if coach George Burley wanted the duo back in his plans.

 

Ferguson and McGregor were handed lifetime bans from the Scotland squad earlier this year following their conduct during the World Cup qualifying double-header with Holland and Iceland.

 

The Rangers pair were involved in a drinking session after the defeat by Holland and were then pictured making V-signs towards photographers after being left on the bench for the win over Iceland.

 

The players were subsequently banned from representing their country again, but Smith says there is scope for a U-turn if Burley had strong reasons for wanting them back in his squad.

 

Up to Burley

 

Smith said: "If George was very strong on it then we would have to look at it very closely, of course we would."

 

He added: "I would think in most circumstances the board of directors might actually take it on board if George Burley was so intent on bringing these players back for very good reason.

 

"George would have to be the one that would have to come and say he's got a change of decision."

 

Smith does not believe Burley would ever want to pick Ferguson or McGregor again and therefore does not think they will add to their respective 45 and four caps.

 

However, he refused to confirm whether he himself had voted for the ban or whether the board's decision was unanimous, saying: "I didn't want either of these two players to be out of the team.

 

"I want all our best players to play.

 

"I actually happen to like Barry Ferguson very much as well - I know him.

 

"And yet, we had to make a decision because this was the Scottish international team on duty and what happened was an embarrassment to the international team."

 

I don't even no why they should even have a slim chance of playing for Scotland again

[Dom Sullivan]

I don't even no why they should even have a slim chance of playing for Scotland again

These two should never disgrace a Scotland shirt again - scum the pair of them

[Tommy]

These two should never disgrace a Scotland shirt again - scum the pair of them

 

 

I reckon that the support will not allow it.

[Maguire89]

I reckon that the support will not allow it.

 

Seconded.

 

But is it even partly Smith's decision? Actually only Burley should be able to decide this and even the only one to comment it.

[boboisared]

I reckon that the support will not allow it.

It's not up to the support though.

[NorthernLights24]

Ferguson is past it anyway. A sad shadow of the player he was a few years ago.

[Westhill Red]

I know someone that was working at the hotel on the night. Fegushun was sick on the carpet and to try and cover it up he started rubbing it in with his hands

[forbesz1903]

I know someone that was working at the hotel on the night. Fegushun was sick on the carpet and to try and cover it up he started rubbing it in with his hands

[boboisared]

I know someone that was working at the hotel on the night. Fegushun was sick on the carpet and to try and cover it up he started rubbing it in with his hands

On the night of the day it happened?

[archiemacdougal]

If Burley intends to retain any small credibility as coach of Scotland that he has he will not think think about those two cretins ever again.

 

It wont happen.

[Dandyjam]

This is a nothing story IMO.

 

Smith is obviously wanting the two Huns to play for Scotland again since he's a Hun and Barry's his pal.

 

But as Smith says, the decision is Burley's and can't see him changing his mind.

[Oklahoma 1903]

All Smith's doing here is passing the buck onto Burley and blame him for the scumbags being still banned

Anyway whats the point of a lifetime ban if a couple of months later it's resinded

Also no matter whether the SFA,Smith or whoever lifts the ban player selection ultimately lies with the manager if he doesn't pick them they dont play.

[swifty]

Gordon Smith

 

 

 

A Fanny

 

[Westhill Red]

On the night of the day it happened?

 

Yes

[rgudon]

It's not up to the support though.

 

Thats what calderwood thought