Ferguson and McGregor banned for life

[Miyazaki]

BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Scots ban Rangers pair for life

I'm assuming everyone knows about this.

Call me a bit naive or whatever, but does the "gesture" they made consistute anything other than what we all know the "v-sign" stands for, ie about as rude as the middle finger sign?

It seems a rather excessive punishment if not?

[LFC_SL]

Petulant, stupid and disrespectful to the manager, team-mates and the fans

[Steve N]

About time someone took a firm line with these prima donnas.
Well done says I

[ash]

Originally Posted by Miyazaki

Call me a bit naive or whatever, but does the "gesture" they made consistute anything other than what we all know the "v-sign" stands for, ie about as rude as the middle finger sign?

Ditto

[gosties]

I believe that both players have been incredibly stupid in their actions. I view the finger gestures as worse than the drinking, due to the fact both were warned of their future conduct by both the Scotland and Rangers setups after the Sunday Morning debacle.

The word out of Glasgow is that both players probably have played their last games for the Glasgow club. Their punishment for the finger gesture by Rangers was a two-week suspension and fine. In my opinion Rangers will not get the full transfer value for both players as they will be seen as damaged goods by other clubs.

The actual handling by the Scottish FA and Manager has been a joke. After the events of Sunday they both should have jettisoned from the squad for a period at the discretion of the manager. Although some reports have described that their would have been a player mutiny if the manager had dealt with the situation properly at the start.

I have never taken to Burley and get the impression that he does not have the respect of a good quota of the Scotland squad.

[blackrod]

A rumor I heard was they got back to the hotel from playing in Holland at 3am and they hit the bar... still there at noon Sunday. If that is the case, they should never have even been in the squad for the next game IMO.

[gosties]

Originally Posted by blackrod

A rumor I heard was they got back to the hotel from playing in Holland at 3am and they hit the bar... still there at noon Sunday. If that is the case, they should never have even been in the squad for the next game IMO.

That rumour about 3am to 12.30pm drinking sessions is supposedly allegedly true. Although allegedly other players were involved in their session for a slightly shorter period. I still believe that Ferguson and McGregor should have been sent home from the point that their session was rumbled.

[booyaka]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

Petulant, stupid and disrespectful to the manager, team-mates and the fans

agree completely. The drinking issue would have die down but the middle finger and "v" signs - that is just plain stupid. It wasn't even stuble - they were doing it for about 10 mins.

Both a couple of idiots for what happened and should know better as "role" models for many kids in Glasgow and beyond.

[spudtator]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

Petulant, stupid and disrespectful to the manager, team-mates and the fans

Couldn't agree more. Childish in the extreme.
As a Scotland fan, I'm glad Ferguson is out. He's one of the most negative midfielders we've ever had. We play much more positive without him.
But, as a Celtic fan, I'd want him to stay for the same reasons. Rangers started the season much better without him.
McGregor is a big loss for them though, as he is a quality keeper.

Still, as you said, no respect and a sad day for Scottish football.

[Kieron]

A better punishment would have been to make them play for Scotland!

[ash]

Originally Posted by Kieron

A better punishment would have been to make them play for Scotland!

[spudtator]

Originally Posted by Kieron

A better punishment would have been to make them play for Scotland!

*flicks Kieron and ash v-sign*

[Steve N]

Wasn't there a player a few years back who said he would never play for Scotland.

I thought his name was Ferguson but may be wrong.
It was something to do with a falling out with the Manager or something.

Anyone enlighten me ?

[gosties]

It would have been Duncan Ferguson you are thinking of.

He was jailed for assault, but it was due to combined previous offences that the minor incident in the Raith Rovers game had accumulated to. He had been warned by a judge previously that any further offence would lead to a jail sentence.

His retirement from the Scottish Football team was due to his belief that the jail sentence was punishment enogh for his actions on the field. He was subsequently banned for 12 games from his release so felt he was being doubly punished for the offence.

I don't believe that you should be punished both in the courts and through the League for the same offence.

[Steve N]

Originally Posted by gosties

It would have been Duncan Ferguson you are thinking of...........

Thanks for that.
I do remember now that it was Duncan Ferguson but was always curious as to why