Ferguson and McGregor dropped for Scotland

April 1, 2009

Rangers and Scotland captain Barry Ferguson as well as his Rangers teammate Alan McGregor have been dropped from the Scotland team for tonight’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Iceland after allegedly going on an all night drinking session in the team hotel after Saturdays 3-0 loss to Holland.

“Due to a breach of team discipline, they will not start,” said a Scottish Football Association spokesman.

“However, they could still join the squad at the national stadium.”

Both players are likely to appear amongst the substitutes for the home team tonight but both will be replaced in the starting lineup. Craig Gordon, who had been dropped on Saturday due to lack of match practice, will take over in goal.

Stephen McManus looks set to return to the team after injury at the expense of Christophe Berra and looks set to take the captains armband.

The breach of discipline from the Rangers pair further limits Burley’s options, given he is already missing a string of injured players.

James McFadden, Shaun Maloney, Barry Robson, Paul Hartley, David Weir, Kirk Broadfoot and Kevin Thomson were all unavailable prior to the World Cup qualifying double-header.

Kris Commons and Graham Alexander have been ruled out since the squad convened.

Scotland look to be playing for second spot as the Dutch seem to be running away with the group so every match is an important one as they try to clinch that playoff spot.

Alan Hutton looks set to play in tonight’s match to replace the injured Graham Alexander and although he is only just back from injury he seems confident he is ready.

“I got on the other night against Holland and felt sharp so, if called upon, I don’t see why I wouldn’t be able to do my best,” stated Hutton.

“Back at Spurs I’ve been working very hard over the last few weeks - a lot harder than I did the last time I was injured - because I knew these massive games were coming up.

“I’ve been desperate to be involved and when I got the call I could have run up here.”

West Brom midfielder James Morrison and Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher were late substitutes in Amsterdam and are in line to start, replacing Ferguson and Gary Teale.

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