ian1964 10,487 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 By ROGER HANNAH Published: Today rigTeaserImage BARRY FERGUSON could have played his last game for Scotland ââ?¬â? after being axed by George Burley last night. Skipper Ferguson and his Rangers team-mate Allan McGregor were booted out after an early-morning bevvy session on Sunday. SunSport can reveal boss Burley has binned the pair for tonightââ?¬â?¢s do-or-die World Cup crunch against Iceland at Hampden. Ferguson, 31, and McGregor, 27, joined team-mates for drinks at posh Cameron House Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond early on Sunday. Burley sanctioned the post-match bonding session, but was left in a rage when it carried on for several HOURS. Itââ?¬â?¢s believed he has spent the last 48 hours pondering a punishment for the Ibrox duo. Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s sensational axeing casts huge doubts over his future with Scotland. He has played just once for Burley in the last 14 months and, despite winning 45 caps, he has never won over the Tartan Army. McGregor, who will be replaced between the sticks by Craig Gordon, has won only four caps. The SFA refused to comment on the boozing claims last night, although chief executive Gordon Smith will come under pressure to make a statement today. Burley will also have to address the incident after tonightââ?¬â?¢s must-win clash. But it is the biggest gamble of his managerial career. Burley will now rip apart the side which plunged to defeat in Holland. Alan Hutton will replace the crocked Graham Alexander at right-back, while West Bromââ?¬â?¢s James Morrison will take Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s place in midfield. Fit-again Stephen McManus will replace Christophe Berra and also be handed the captainââ?¬â?¢s armband in Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s absence. Steven Fletcher is expected to take Gary Tealeââ?¬â?¢s place. Before the sensational row blew up last night, Burley insisted he would not be scared to axe any of his top stars. He said: ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s a one-off game, a cup final for us, and Iââ?¬â?¢ll pick a one-off team to win the match. ââ?¬Å?These are going to be key decisions, big decisions. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m not going to speak about individuals, but every position is under consideration. Iââ?¬â?¢ll speak to the players in the morning. ââ?¬Å?I had to make hard decisions when we faced Iceland in Reykjavik, but I picked the team that was right and I had no regrets. I will have no regrets this time either. I will back my own judgement. It will simply be what I think will be the best team to win. ââ?¬Å?As a manager, you canââ?¬â?¢t please everybody.ââ?¬Â The absence of Ferguson ââ?¬â? and the circumstances surrounding his exit ââ?¬â? will cause most controversy. Advertisement First capped more than a decade ago, his dreams of a place in the SFA Hall of Fame ââ?¬â? and playing at a major finals ââ?¬â? may now go unfulfilled. He has been capped by FIVE different Scotland bosses ââ?¬â? Craig Brown, Berti Vogts, Walter Smith, Alex McLeish and Burley. Heââ?¬â?¢s also won every domestic honour in Scotland, led Gers into the UEFA Cup Final and twice been honoured as Player of the Year. Itââ?¬â?¢s unclear what the future holds for Ferguson with regard to Scotland as Burley's own job could depend on tonight's result. Defeat or a draw against Iceland would almost certainly end hopes of qualifying for the World Cup Finals in South Africa next summer. SFA chief executive Smith and president George Peat handed the ex-Hearts gaffer the national team job until the end of the qualifying campaign. But if it comes to a premature end this evening, it's certain to prompt calls for the gafferââ?¬â?¢s head after just nine matches in charge. And any future Scotland boss would then have to decide whether to bring Ferguson and McGregor, as well as Kris Boyd, back into the fold. Itââ?¬â?¢s believed the manager is aggrieved that players abused the trust heââ?¬â?¢d placed in them and feels badly let down. A peace pact between Burley and the axed aces canââ?¬â?¢t be ruled out.For now, though, Scotland must enter the most important game of Burleyââ?¬â?¢s reign without their most experienced and influential player. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/article2353364.ece 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,199 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Obviously something going on in the background here... Bizarre situation. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilledbear 16 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Any other newspapers running this? When I see the word bizarre on April 1st!!!! If true it's a disgrace for the Rangers Captain and the Club. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,199 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 BBC Scotland confirmed on the radio this morning mate. No April fool... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Ferguon probably thinking he's bigger than the management AGAIN! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyk 158 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 If true, I'm sure he will still get more caps (Scottish football is that bad he is still one the of best players we have for our country in midfield) as I doubt Burley will last much longer as we've no chance of making of the making the world cup have we? Maybe Burley was jealous of the guys having a good time on the bevy and he wasn't 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJBlue72 0 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Burley is slowly but surely removing all Rangers players from his squad one by one - he is anti Rangers to the core. Burley - GTF Now. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilledbear 16 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Burley is slowly but surely removing all Rangers players from his squad one by one - he is anti Rangers to the core. Burley - GTF Now. Don't you mean the Rangers players are removing themselves from the Scotland Squad. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,199 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 All sides can be blamed here. Burley for sanctioning a 'bonding session' so early in the morning ahead of such an important game. And the players for taking it too far when asked to finish their session. Once again, our club is the one looking stupid. PLG will be reading this news with a wry smile on his face I'm sure. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Doesn't Burley like a wee tipple every wee while? He was probably part of the sesh! :cheers: 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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