Trio could make Scotland return

[ian1964 10,416]

Exclusive by Darrell King

 

FROZEN out Scotland trio Barry Ferguson, Allan McGregor and Kris Boyd could all make a sensational return to the international fold - if the new manager wants them.

 

On the day that former skipper Colin Hendry called for bad-boys Ferguson and McGregor to be re-instated, SportTimes can reveal that there is no 'sine die' ban in place from the SFA after their Boozegate shame last March.

 

Legally, the governing body cannot impose any lifetime suspension on a player - although the duo were told in a fax sent to the club during their disciplinary process with Rangers that they would not be considered for selection whilst former boss George Burley remained in charge.

 

It has always been a major bone of contention that the terms of the ban were never explained to them. Indeed, there has never been any dialogue between Ferguson, McGregor or anyone at the SFA since the entire Boozegate fiasco blew up.

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Now, with Burley axed after his shambolic tenure, a new man will have to make the call on whether or not he wants to select Ferguson, McGregor and Boyd who walked away of his own volition after being consistently overlooked.

 

Whether the players would want to return to the national set-up remains to be seen. Ferguson - whilst admitting full blame for his part in the Cameron House fiasco - blasted the SFA for the handling of the affair in a series of exclusive interviews with this newspaper back in August.

 

But whoever takes over as the new Scotland manager will make the call. If he wants to wipe the slate clean, there is a possibility they could all return.

 

And Hendry believes that should be the way ahead - as the struggling national team can't afford to do without players of their ability.

 

He said: "Scotland are limited in quality, so we need our best players - and that means Ferguson and McGregor should return.

 

"We are not in a position where we can afford to dismiss players with their kind of talent. The same goes for Boyd, too, because he is a great goalscorer.

 

"We are talking about guys with the kind of proven quality Scotland doesn't have in abundance.

 

"Barry and Allan suffered a backlash from the Tartan Army but, if they came back, they would find time has been a big healer with the fans. We need our best players pulling together if we are to move forward.

 

"I have watched Barry and he has done really well for Birmingham. He has been very consistent and managed to keep a low profile most of the time. This season, he has proved a few things to some people."

 

Walter Smith - the man who severely punished Ferguson and McGregor for their part in Boozegate - is highly unlikely to be making the call.

 

He has distanced himself from a return to the Scotland hot-seat, even though it is believed the SFA would consider waiting until his situation at Rangers is clarified before naming anyone else.

 

Smith is out of contract at Rangers in mid-January. He is awaiting news on a potential take-over. But in all probablity - even if a change in ownership happens - he will remain as manager until the end of the season. But a return to Scotland is not on his agenda.

 

Dundee United boss Craig Levein is now a front-runner. But SFA chief executive Gordon Smith - who was today ready to go public on the way ahead - could have a big job convincing him to quit club football.

 

Graeme Souness and Mark McGhee have ruled themselves out of the running and Owen Coyle has reiterated his commitment to Burnley.

 

Jimmy Calderwood and John Collins both want the job, while Jim Jefferies says he is flattered to be linked with the vacancy.

 

Leo Beenhakker is the latest to throw his hat into the ring, but Smith is likely to look closer to home.

 

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2535172.0.0.php

[calscot 0]

What do the Tartan Army have against MacGregor and Ferguson - that they like a bit of a drink? Surely that should endear them? That they stick their fingers up to the gutter press? Surely more reason to like them?

 

Just what is the problem?

[ian1964 10,416]

What do the Tartan Army have against MacGregor and Ferguson - that they like a bit of a drink? Surely that should endear them? That they stick their fingers up to the gutter press? Surely more reason to like them?

 

Just what is the problem?

 

They play for Rangers ???

[rbr 1,247]

Just watched Smith on SSN , possibly the most embarressing interview ever

[Zappa 0]

Gordon Smith should have been booted out the door with George Burley for his part in the incompetent management of the national side & it's affairs.

[ian1964 10,416]

Real radio have had a few callers from the TA saying they should NEVER play for Scotland again or the TA will stop going to Scotland games !!!!

[craig 5,199]

Real radio have had a few callers from the TA saying they should NEVER play for Scotland again or the TA will stop going to Scotland games !!!!

 

And there is the losing mentality we all need. Eejits.

[ian1964 10,416]

And there is the losing mentality we all need. Eejits.

 

Ye can stick yer Tartan Army up yer arse

[spanner 0]

I must say I always liked the Tremeloes, yon Carol Hawkes was a gie bufty bit o stuff, I certainly widny have been climbin over her tae get tae bluedell. :devil:

[Whosthedado 1,500]

Some not all, but some of the TA are complete Everything and anything to do with Rangers is all wrong for some of them. I would love to see whoever the new manager is recall Fergie Boyd and Shagger just for the reaction of some of them!