Fergie confirms Scotland talks

But midfielder unsure over return to international fold

Last updated: 8th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fergie confirms Scotland talks

Ferguson & Miller: Could be reunited

He is definitely going to be a big addition to the squad if he decides to come back and play

Kenny Miller
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Barry Ferguson has revealed he has held talks with Craig Levein about returning to the Scotland fold.

Ferguson's involvement in the infamous 'Boozegate' affair last April saw the Birmingham City performer banished from the national team along with former Rangers team-mate Allan McGregor.

New Scotland boss Levein has since paved the way for the 32-year-old to resurrect his international career, but the central midfielder is keen to focus on his club career with Birmingham and has yet to reach a decision over his future with Scotland.

"Myself and Craig Levein have agreed with each other to keep what has been said private," said the former Blackburn player.

"I've still got a lot of thinking to do and I am nowhere near a decision.

"I am fully committed to Birmingham. I will give them a full season. They took a chance on me when people were knocking me down. I owe them everything.

"I have all that to take into account and it will be a long time before I decide what I do."

Miller plea

Meanwhile, Kenny Miller has made a public plea for Ferguson to return from the international wilderness and help Scotland qualify for the 2012 European Championship.

While a question mark remains over whether he will add to the 45 caps he already has, Miller has no doubts about the impact Ferguson could make if he does make a dramatic return to the national fold.

"Barry is a big loss to us, there is no doubt about that," said the Rangers striker.

"I've been watching him since he went (to Birmingham) and I watched his game yesterday. I thought he was absolutely outstanding.

"He is playing in arguably the best league in the world. It maybe wasn't against one of the top teams yesterday, no disrespect to Wolves, but I thought he was an absolute stand-out.

"He is definitely going to be a big addition to the (Scotland) squad if he decides to come back and play."

Qualification boost

Asked if Ferguson could be the difference between qualification and another glorious failure, Miller added: "We want our best players playing for the national team and there is no doubt Barry Ferguson is one of them.

"He is not just a squad player, he's a big, big player for the team. We will be absolutely delighted if he chooses to come back and play with us again."

Levein has also confirmed that McGregor and Kris Boyd - who refused to be considered for selection under previous boss George Burley - will both be named in his squad for next month's friendly against the Czech Republic.

And Miller is relishing the prospect of replicating his prolific Rangers partnership with Boyd at international level.

"I would love it," he said.

"He's had an injury over the last month or so and so have I, so that has kind of stopped us a bit.

"But before that we were playing well and the goals were flowing.

"He is a top player at what he does and I'm just happy to have him back."

EC Group I Win Outright: Scotland 10/1