Scotland announce life ban for captain and goalkeeper

The news came soon after the announcement that Ferguson was stripped of the Rangers captaincy and sent home from training today along with goalkeeper Allan McGregor after being dropped from the Scotland team in midweek for a breach of discipline.

Rangers also suspended the pair without pay for two weeks.

The Scottish FA yesterday described the matter as closed but it is understood that fans' anger increased pressure for the matter to be discussed again - leading to today's announcement that the pair's international careers are over.

An SFA spokesman said: "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.

"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."

A statement on the Rangers website said: "Barry Ferguson has been deposed as Rangers captain and sent home from training today along with goalkeeper Allan McGregor in lieu of their actions at Scotland's World Cup qualifier with Iceland on Wednesday.

"It is common knowledge that Ferguson and McGregor were involved in a drinking session with other players... on Sunday and that Scotland manager George Burley decided to leave them on the bench for the Iceland match as a result."

However, the club said it was gestures the two players made on the bench at Hampden Park during the Iceland qualifier that particularly angered Rangers and manager Walter Smith.

"The most disappointing aspect for me was the subsequent reaction on the bench and from the club's point of view I don't think that was a good image to portray," Smith said on the Scottish Premier League club's website (www.rangers.co.uk).

Newspaper photos and TV pictures appeared to show the pair making V-signs while sitting on the bench at Wednesday's game.

Ferguson, who has 45 caps, and McGregor, who has played four times for Scotland, were allowed by Burley to sit on the bench to watch the Group Nine match with Iceland, which Scotland won 2-1 to boost their hopes of qualifying for the 2010 finals.

Ferguson said: "I deeply regret what happened last weekend and the events during the last week and apologise wholeheartedly for the embarrassment caused to Scotland, Rangers, both sets of supporters and my friends and family.

"I have always considered playing for Rangers and Scotland an honour and a privilege and nothing will change that and I am bitterly disappointed by the announcement that I will not be selected for Scotland again."

McGregor - who made his competitive debut against Holland on Saturday - added: "I was absolutely delighted to be selected for Scotland last weekend and I am deeply sorry over what has happened since then. We all make mistakes in life and I am very disappointed to have let Rangers, Scotland, my family, all the fans down.

"I am also desperately disappointed that I will not be selected again for Scotland at this stage in my career."