Barry Ferguson will not play for Scotland again.
Former Scottish international Barry Ferguson has revealed that he will not play for his country again.
Ferguson had hinted that he would consider a return to the international set up, but has since changed his mind.
At the time Ferguson said during a radio interview that, "It does play on your mind. It's not an easy decision to make. You can never say never in football. I don't have a fear of going out and being booed“.
This seemed to indicate that Ferguson would return to the Scottish squad if he was selected by the Scottish manager Craig Levein.
The Scottish manager discussed a return with the player in the winter and has since made another approach.
Yet, the Scottish FA released a statement saying that, “During a live radio broadcast, Barry Ferguson intimated that he may consider a return to international football. In subsequent conversations with the national team coach, Craig Levein, and the team
scout, Michael Oliver, Barry has confirmed this not to be the case. He will therefore not be considered for selection and the matter is now closed."
Ferguson was banned from the Scotland team for a breach of discipline. This dates back to April 2009 when Ferguson and Allan McGregor were expelled from the team.
The two players were involved in a drinking session before a World Qualifier and were placed on the bench at Hampden Park for a match against Iceland. Ferguson was spotted making v-sign gestures at fans and was banned from the Scottish team.
The 32 year old would have been welcomed back by Levein who will be without a number of midfielders for the European Qualifier. Lee McCulloch is suspended and Paul Hartley and Kevin Thomson are also out for the games with Spain and the Czech Republic.
Barry Ferguson’s decision not play for his country may well be to do with extending and focusing on his career at club level with Birmingham City.
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