Former Rangers star Ian Ferguson has hit out at Scotland fans for their treatment of Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor.
Ex-Rangers midfielder calls for more support
Former Rangers star Ian Ferguson has hit out at Scotland fans for their treatment of Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor.
The SFA banned the pair from playing for the national team again after a late-night drinking session following their 3-0 World Cup loss to Holland in March.
They were then dropped to the bench for the following fixture against Iceland, where the duo were seen making 'V-signs' at television cameras. Rangers boss Walter Smith also fined the duo and suspended them for two weeks.
But the North Queensland Fury manager has blasted the 'Tartan Army' for the way they have made the pair scapegoats.
"Tartan Army - get a grip of yourselves," Ferguson told
SkySports.com
"You're the supporters of the national team. It is not about you, it's about the team. Give them some support.
"Let the boy (Barry Ferguson) do what he's good at, let him go and play football."
The former Rangers and St. Mirren star can relate to Ferguson and McGregor. During his time at Rangers, Ferguson was caught abusing Scotland fans after a match against Estonia. He never played for his country again.
"I had the same sort of thing with the Tartan Army before, a microphone was put in front of me and I shouted some obscenities towards them. It recorded all over the world," recalls Ferguson.
"I had the same sort of run in with them but I think people over-react and over-analyse, there's more to life then all of this.
"We all do stupid things and as we get older we start to regret more."
'Silly'
Ferguson admits the pair should not have stayed up drinking or have made gestures to the camera, but he also put some of the blame at the feet of Scotland boss George Burley.
"I think what they did (the 'V-signs') was silly, they deserved to get their knuckles rapped for that.
"They should have just had their drink and then gone to bed.
"But George Burley has to take a bit of the blame for letting players go and drink until 4am."
Ferguson has backed his namesake to prove the doubters wrong - should he ever be given the chance.
"I'm not sure if Barry wants to play again but if he ever gets chance to he will shut some people up."
