Source: Team_Talk
McLeish still wary of Fergie plans
Former national team manager McLeish also warned the 31-year-old not to put his family through an ordeal of any fan backlash there might be were he to return to international football.[LNB]Craig Levein's appointment as Scotland boss has opened the door for Ferguson and ex-Ibrox team-mates Allan McGregor and Kris Boyd to come in from the cold.[LNB]Ferguson and McGregor have been exiled since being handed lifetime bans by the Scottish Football Association in April.[LNB]Those sanctions have since been lifted and both they and Boyd - who refused to play under former manager George Burley - have declared an interest in being part of a Levein regime.[LNB]Ferguson has found a new lease of life since joining Birmingham this summer and McLeish is worried what affect resuming his Scotland career will have on him.[LNB]"People are saying I'm trying to talk him out of it and discourage him from playing for Scotland," McLeish told BBC Radio Scotland.[LNB]"But all I pointed out, from my own personal experience, is the intensity of balancing club and international football.[LNB]"There is definitely a tiredness in players when they come back from internationals.[LNB]"Barry gives absolutely everything in every training session and in every game he plays.[LNB]"I know he's put himself on the line at times when probably he shouldn't have."[LNB]Ferguson and McGregor were told they would never play for Scotland again after they were caught flicking V-signs at photographers while sat on the bench during April's World Cup qualifier against Iceland.[LNB]That came after they were dropped for indulging in an early hours drinking session days earlier following a defeat in Holland.[LNB]Levein insists both will be considered for selection but the Tartan Army may not be so forgiving.[LNB]McLeish said: "If that was going to be a factor, why does he need to put himself and his family through that?"[LNB]Ferguson has been in great form for Birmingham since his move from Rangers, helping them put together an unbeaten run of 11 games in the Premier League.[LNB]McLeish has previously hinted he may be forced to rest Ferguson, who turns 32 in February, from matches if he resumes his 45-cap international career.[LNB]He said: "At Barry's age, there are a lot of demands on his body and he has to consider it very carefully.[LNB]"If he comes back from internationals, he may have to be rested."[LNB]He added: "When Craig speaks to him personally, then that will be decision time for Barry. It really is the individual's choice."[LNB][LNB]
