Barry Ferguson wants to return to Scots fold – but not for friendly match with Czechs

Published on Friday 5 February 2010 22:41

BARRY Ferguson is set to return to the Scotland set-up at a time of his own choosing.

In a move which is certain to draw heavy criticism from supporters who wanted Ferguson's "indefinite ban" to remain in place, national manager Craig Levein has accepted that the midfielder can say no to a comeback in next month's friendly against the Czech Republic, but then agree to being selected for the start of the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Ferguson, who was banned from the national squad last April after the 'Boozegate' scandal, has told Levein he wants to be involved again. But the manager said yesterday that commitments to Birmingham City and to his family would make it difficult for the former Rangers player to join up with the squad next month.

"I've spoken to Barry," Levein said yesterday. "I spent two hours with him last week and I've spoken to him on the phone.

"I would consider both conversations were very positive. The difficulty is the timing of everything.

"You have to appreciate that at the start of the season Barry signed a contract with Birmingham and had nothing else on the horizon. So he has made commitments to his club.

"Also his wife and kids are staying up in Scotland so he has made commitments on that front. We plan to speak further. I have got a good feeling about the discussions we've had.

"Barry has indicated that he's excited about the opportunity to get to 50 caps and qualify for a major tournament. But there are other issues – going into the start of the season, he wasn't involved in the Scotland set-up."

Given that Ferguson is likely to have club and domestic commitments next season as well as this, an obvious inference from Levein's explanation is that the former Scotland captain is dictating the terms of his return from an exile which was imposed by George Burley. The latter's successor, however, does not see the issue so starkly.

"It's not quite as black and white as 'if it suited him'," Levein continued. "That isn't the case. It's more about commitments he's made to other people.

"I've had very positive discussions with him. He has issues this season that (mean] it's difficult for him to make commitments.

"I'm the one that's driving it. I want him back in the squad. I think he's a fantastic player, a much-improved player from last season. The move to Birmingham has been almost a rebirth for him. He's got a zest back in his game."

Levein added that the Scotland captaincy had not been an issue in discussions. "Darren Fletcher is captain of Scotland," he said. "Barry Ferguson has never mentioned the captaincy.

"I've asked Kris Boyd and Allan McGregor to come back on board and they've stated they want to come back," he added. "I've heard through a third party that Lee (McCulloch] might be interested."

Hearts' England-born winger Andy Driver is also set to be called up under the new eligibility rules, but Wigan and Ireland Under-21 player James McCarthy will not change his mind about representing the country of his birth.

"Andy Driver gave me the nod yesterday that he is dead keen. I said: 'Do you want to go away and think about it?'

"He said: 'No, my mind is made up, I want to play for Scotland.' We need to find out he meets the criteria exactly – that it's five years' schooling and not four years, 11 months and 26 days.

"I had a brief chat with James but I didn't get any encouragement there at all."

Levein is in Warsaw this weekend for the draw for the 2012 European Championships qualifying tournament, and knows Scotland are unlikely to be placed in an easy group. "Whoever we draw, we need to go into these games with a realistic opportunity of qualifying, at least in our heads.

"We can't do anything about the draw. Once the dates meeting comes around, that's a different story."

Scotland are in Pot Three, and could be drawn to face England. "I would love that," he added. "I didn't get a chance to play against England as a player. But I'd love to play against Spain or Germany or any of the other top teams."