SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE:FAILURE TO heed the orders of Walter Smith in the aftermath of a drinking session six days ago has called time on the Rangers and Scotland careers of Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor.

The errant duo were yesterday suspended for a fortnight and fined wages for the same period by Rangers as the fallout from last Sunday’s antics at the Cameron House hotel reached epic proportions. Ferguson has been stripped of the captaincy; privately it has been made clear neither will play for the club again.

“The overall conduct of the players during the last week while on Scotland duty has, regrettably, fallen considerably short of the standards expected by Rangers football club and our supporters and has brought the club into disrepute,” said CEO Martin Bain.

The Scottish FA in a statement confirming neither will be considered for future international selection. “This action has been taken in the best interest of the squad, the fans and the country,” read a statement.

Ferguson and McGregor were dropped from the Scotland team to face Iceland on Wednesday after a drinking binge which began at the team hotel upon return from the World Cup qualifier against Holland – at about 4am – and lasted until lunchtime.

Smith contacted his players on Monday to stress they should accept their punishment, and with good grace. However matters took a turn for the worse as Ferguson and McGregor were pictured and filmed making offensive gestures before kick-off on Wednesday as they sat among the substitutes for the Iceland game.

“Drink-wise, yes, it was in itself wrong,” Smith explained. “But they are not the first group of Scottish players to do that. What was more disappointing for me was their subsequent reaction when they were on the bench. I don’t think it reflected well on them and certainly did not reflect well on the club . . . I don’t feel, as a club, we could be seen to have ignored the incidents.”

Rangers will invite offers for the pair in the close season. Ferguson has a contract worth around €27,576 a week until next summer but McGregor, the goalkeeper, is only one season into a €16,545 a week, five-year deal. The bold decision by the manager may have serious repercussions for a closely fought race with Celtic for the Scottish Premier League championship. David Weir has been installed as Rangers’ new captain.

“From a football point of view, it is a blow that we have had to take this action and it is one of the biggest decisions I have had to take,” Smith said.

( Guardian Service)