Barry Ferguson has 'open mind' on return to Scotland squad
Nov 23 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
BARRY Ferguson said he felt Blues were continuing to get better and progress in the right way under Alex McLeish.
And the midfielder revealed he was keeping an open mind on whether to resume his Scotland career after being banned for life in the wake of the ‘boozegate’ and V-sign scandals.
“I think everybody would have settled for fourth bottom come the end of the season, but we’re progressing well under the management of the gaffer and hopefully in January there’ll be more players coming in to boost us,” said Ferguson.
“There’s already a lot of new players come in and it’s a new way of playing we’re trying. But we’re heading in the right direction.”
Blues have won two and drawn two of their last four matches, their best string of top-flight results since December 2004.
Ferguson said: “To be honest we’ve played a lot better than we did against Fulham, but it proved we can win ugly as well.
“At times during the season we’ve played a lot better football but when you consider the weather, the conditions weren’t ideal and the guys battled away to make sure we got the three points.
“The last four games we’ve played well and gained points, and should’ve got more points against Man City and Liverpool, but we’re heading in the right direction. There’s still a lot of hard work to be done.”
Scottish chief Gordon Smith held the door ajar for Ferguson’s return saying if George Burley’s successor wanted Ferguson back in the fold, it could happen.
“I need to be asked before I can comment on it,” said Ferguson.
“It was the SFA that called time on my Scotland career. Back in August, the way it ended, was shambolic. But that was then.
“If I do get asked, it’s something I’d need to sit down and have a long, hard think about.
‘‘I need to not only talk to the gaffer, my family, but guys I’ve played with, that I respect.”
McLeish intimated last week that if Ferguson got back on the international treadmill it might harm him at club level.
Ferguson said: “I saw that. Does it mean I won’t get a game here? I need to see how things develop.”
