Barry Ferguson coy about Scotland return

Barry Ferguson will not rule out a return to Scotland duty under Craig Levein if and when the Dundee United manger is confirmed as national team coach.

The Birmingham midfielder was banned during George Burley's tenure for gesturing at photographers as he sat on the bench during his country's World Cup qualifier against Iceland after being dropped following his part in the infamous 'Boozegate' incident days earlier.

A Rangers player at the time, he was stripped of the captaincy and fined two weeks wages before leaving the Ibrox club in the summer.

The Scottish Football Association have already confirmed the new Scotland boss will be free to pick Ferguson and former team-mate Allan McGregor, who was banned alongside the midfielder.

Levein is expected to be named manager in the next 24 hours but Ferguson will not jump the gun by talking about a comeback - though neither will he rule it out.

"It has not crossed my mind and if I do get asked, it's something I that I really need to consider and sit down and talk to various people about," he told Sky Sports News.

"It is something that I would need to consider but, up until I am asked, my Scotland career is over.

"Never once did I quit Scotland; Scotland told me I was finished.

"I still have friends who play for Scotland so I always look out for them.

"I think Craig is a great appointment, he is a manager for whom I have a lot of respect. I'm sure he will be a great appointment.

"I met him a few times, he's a good guy and I think that's what Scotland is needing, someone like Craig Levein to come in and shake the full place up and I hope he does well.

"It's a big loss for Dundee United; he's done a great job up there."