Smith worried by Barry crisis
Scotland boss Walter Smith is concerned by Barry Ferguson's Rangers situation.
Scotland boss Walter Smith is concerned that national team captain Barry Ferguson faces the prospect of reserve-team football.Ferguson has been ousted by Rangers' manager Paul Le Guen from the squad and been replaced as captain by Gavin Rae.
The midfielder is keen to rescue his Ibrox career according to his agent John Viola and brother Derek Ferguson, however Le Guen claims his authority was being undermined by the former skipper.
The rift leaves doubts over whether Ferguson will play again under Le Guen and whether or not he will feature before the next round of Euro 2008 qualifiers.
"Barry's situation at Rangers is something new," Smith told the Daily Mail.
"It is important that he plays, important that he's involved, because it's important that all our main players do. I would put him in with the rest of the guys in this situation."
Scotland defender Andy Webster remains out of favour at Wigan, while Steven Pressley spent a month out of action after leaving Hearts but is now playing again at Celtic.
Smith added of Ferguson's situation: "It's something we have to be really aware of."
Scotland's next Euro 2008 qualifier is against Georgia on March 24, and four days later they face Italy with Smith's side currently top of Group B.
