[Football] Scots ban Rangers pair for life

[Rappy Veteran]

Rangers' Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor have been told they will never play for Scotland again.

The Scottish FA made the announcement because of a weekend drinking session after defeat by Netherlands and V-signs made on the bench against Iceland.

Rangers had earlier on Friday stripped Ferguson of the team captaincy and suspended the midfielder and goalkeeper McGregor for two weeks without pay.

Veteran defender David Weir has been named the new Rangers captain.

Ferguson and McGregor have apologised for their actions, but their futures at Rangers could also now be in doubt.

The pair had initially been dropped to the bench by Scotland manager George Burley following the early-hours drinking session at the team hotel following the 3-0 World Cup qualifying reverse in Amsterdam.

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith on Thursday backed his manager's action and suggested that the matter was now closed.

But the governing body's president, George Peat, demanded a further investigation in light of the gestures made by the two players while they were substitutes for Wednesday's 2-1 win over Iceland.

And, following a hectic Friday of meetings, phone calls and an apparent flood of complaints from Scotland supporters, further action has been taken by the SFA and Rangers.

"In light of the events of the past 48 hours, and following further discussions between the national team manager and the chief executive, it has been decided that Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor will no longer be considered for international selection by Scotland," said an SFA spokesman.

"This action has been taken in the best interest of the squad, the fans and the country. We are determined to qualify for the World Cup and we must ensure that nothing is allowed to distract us from achieving this goal."

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[Subject Delta]

Glad to see that meaningful action is being taken, about time more football players where brought to task for their behaviour

[Martyn]

This will hurt Scotland because Ferguson and McGregor are big players for them.

It looks like Rangers will be shipping them out as well, there are big rumours of Ferguson going to Zenit in the summer.

[FxVisor]

I agree with the ban from international football but Rangers are taking the matter to far and do they have the money to replace these two key players and continue to challenge Celtic?