ian1964 10,514 Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 By KENNY McALPINE Published: Today rigTeaserImage BOOZE-shame stars Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor were partying with FIVE team-mates during the bender that led to their axe from the Scotland team. Rangers duo Ferguson and McGregor were originally ordered home by furious boss George Burley after their six-hour early-morning binge. Boozing ... Cameron House Boozing ... Cameron House But he backed down after a showdown with the other five stars ââ?¬â? who warned him he would have to send them packing from the teamââ?¬â?¢s posh hotel HQ. And in another amazing twist, Burley ââ?¬â? after dropping Ferguson and McGregor from the team which beat Iceland 2-1 last night ââ?¬â? relented and named the pair as substitutes. Itââ?¬â?¢s understood captain Ferguson and keeper McGregor were joined on the lash by Celtic midfielder Scott Brown, Spurs defender Alan Hutton, Rangers defender Steven Whittaker, Hibs striker Steven Fletcher and Derby winger Gary Teale. They felt their skipper and McGregor were being made scapegoats for the bash at Cameron House Hotel at Loch Lomond. There is also disquiet in the squad as Brown ââ?¬â? who used his own clippers to shave McGregorââ?¬â?¢s head during the drinking session ââ?¬â? escaped without punishment despite lurching to his room just 20 minutes before the Ibrox pair went to theirs. Blame It is a huge embarrassment for Burley ââ?¬â? who has been slammed for letting his players drink in the bar in the first place after they flew back from Holland. There is also now a massive question mark over Burleyââ?¬â?¢s authority with the team. Last night a source close to the camp said: ââ?¬Å?This has been a disaster for Burley and Scotland. ââ?¬Å?He originally told Ferguson and McGregor to pack their bags and go home. Enraged ... George Burley Enraged ... George Burley ââ?¬Å?However, when the other lads found out they decided to stick together. ââ?¬Å?They didnââ?¬â?¢t think it was fair for the two of them to shoulder the blame. ââ?¬Å?The players went to Burleyââ?¬â?¢s room and told him they were involved in the boozing as well. ââ?¬Å?He was told in no uncertain terms that the squad felt singling them out was unfair. ââ?¬Å?Burley then changed his mind and let them stay in the squad and stay at the hotel before putting them on the bench. ââ?¬Å?He was in a no-win situation as he needed the other players to play against Iceland. ââ?¬Å?What else could he have done? However his authority and standing amongst the other players must now be in grave doubt.ââ?¬Â We revealed yesterday how Ibrox team-mates Ferguson and McGregor went on a booze session lasting at least six hours after flying back from Holland on Sunday morning. The duo hit the bar at around 5am with other players following their crushing 3-0 defeat. Bonding The team had been given permission for the ââ?¬Ë?bonding sessionââ?¬â?¢ by Burley. But while some of the squad went back to their rooms after a couple of drinks, seven stayed ââ?¬â? and Ferguson, 31, and McGregor, 27, kept going until 11am. They were still supping alcohol as other guests, including families, came down for breakfast and to use the facilities at the five-star resort. Witnesses claimed they watched the players down vodkas and Red Bull in the Great Scots bar. We understand Burley was left raging when he learned about their booze antics ââ?¬â? and wanted them sent home immediately. But the boss was left stunned when the five others owned up to being involved in the party. Brown, 23, went to his kip at 10.45am ââ?¬â? around 20 minutes earlier than Ferguson and McGregor. Punishment It is believed Hutton and Whittaker, both 24, Fletcher, 22, and 30-year-old Teale hit the sack at round 9am. Advertisement Our source said: ââ?¬Å?Ferguson and McGregor were not going to land any of the other players in it. They were going to take their punishment but the other lads didnââ?¬â?¢t think that was fair. ââ?¬Å?The other players had been drinking all morning with Ferguson and McGregor but finished just a little while before them. ââ?¬Å?I think Burley was shell-shocked. ââ?¬Å?There was no way he could boot seven players out of the squad. ââ?¬Å?All the guys who were boozing were part of the first-team plans last night and the squad is thin enough. ââ?¬Å?The players have shown him no respect and left him in an impossible situation. ââ?¬Å?However, what manager sanctions his team to go for a drink at 5am with a huge World Cup qualifier to come? ââ?¬Å?They had just played an energy-sapping match and then a flight home to Glasgow and then on to their hotel. ââ?¬Å?A good rest is what they would have needed ââ?¬â? not a few pints.ââ?¬Â He added: ââ?¬Å?Everyone involved in this debacle needs to take a good look at themselves.ââ?¬Â An SFA spokesman said: ââ?¬Å?We can confirm that there has been a breach of team discipline. Disrupt ââ?¬Å?This is being dealt with within the squad. ââ?¬Å?We are not allowing this to disrupt preparations for a vital World Cup qualifying match.ââ?¬Â A spokesman for the West of Scotland Tartan Army blasted the players. He said: ââ?¬Å?They have let themselves and the supporters down. ââ?¬Å?There is still a definite drinking culture in Scottish football. ââ?¬Å?Drinking was okay if you were in the mould of Jimmy Johnstone or Billy Bremner but these guys are not in the same class.ââ?¬Â http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/article2355564.ece 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,200 Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 Yep, there were other players involved and the whole situation is ludicrous. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,514 Posted April 2, 2009 Author Share Posted April 2, 2009 Yep, there were other players involved and the whole situation is ludicrous. But enough for the Rangers haters to jump on 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,200 Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 That's what this is all about. That and sections of the media wanting rid of Dod Burley so they can then have a go at Gordon Smith. This goes deeper than a few pints. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
H1ndy 0 Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 there does seem to be an agenda with the press 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,514 Posted April 2, 2009 Author Share Posted April 2, 2009 there does seem to be an agenda with the press Not just the press mate, as I have said in another thread the majority of Scotland supporters loathe Rangers and Rangers players and sit waiting on the likes of Miller to make a mistake so they can abuse him/them, it's becoming so bad that I find myself caring less and less about the Scotland team 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
H1ndy 0 Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 i cant believe only Mcgregor and fergie are being made a scapgoat , especially after reading todays rags that 7 players were involved. why wasnt brown dropped aswell double standards from this chump. and was i the only one who thought scotland were shit yesterday. as i said in another post the sooner the chump goes the better. worst scotland teams since vogts and i cant believe sum ppl wanted this chump to be our manager after PLG 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,514 Posted April 2, 2009 Author Share Posted April 2, 2009 I sat watching the game with Frankie, and I said to him that I thought the game was poor and without my blue tinted specs on I thought the Scotland midfield were lost without Barry to get his foot on the ball, now that won't go down well with a lot of our own fans never mind the Rangers hating Scottish supporters but true never the less IMO 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmck 117 Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 bf is better than most of the other players, even on poor form. most teams, as annoying as he can be, are better off with him in it. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calscot 0 Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 bf is better than most of the other players, even on poor form. most teams, as annoying as he can be, are better off with him in it. I agree with you - although there are some exceptions, and I think Rangers played better with Thomson in the team instead of Barry. Unfortunately we have no equivalent for the injured midfielder, when our captain doesn't play. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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