So now we know. Spain, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Liechtenstein await in the Euro 2012 draw, but there is still an issue that needs sorted.

New boss Craig Levein has made it clear from the start he wanted the “rebels”, Allan McGregor, Barry Ferguson and Kris Boyd, back in the international fold after their public falling-out with previous manager George Burley.

It’s a decision that has split the Tartan Army and one Levein has made clear so we’ll soon see if they are involved when the new boss names his squad for the friendly with Czech Republic in a couple of weeks.

But if they are included, along with Lee McCulloch, who has also indicated a desire to return, then they’ve got to prove to the Scotland fans that if they want that dark blue jersey they’ve got to play for it.

Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor were given lifetime bans by the SFA over the “Boozegate” scandal. Now a lifetime ban was assumed to mean “lifetime” until SFA Chief Executive Gordon Smith confirmed the word meant “as long as George Burley was in charge”.

McGregor only got three caps to be fair, largely down to how good Craig Gordon is as Scotland’s No 1, so in many ways has yet to prove himself as an international keeper. That said his performance in Holland in the 3-0 defeat wasn’t a memorable one.

Ferguson on the other hand was the captain. The leader on the park and the man to inspire us etc, etc. But in just under 50 caps, I can’t ever remember a game where he stood out. I’m happy to be corrected on that one, but I honestly don’t.

The former Rangers midfielder was a good player, but since sustaining the knee injury that limited his progress at Blackburn, he hasn’t been the same industrious person he was.

As a captain he did nothing but moan rather than inspire and there were times when Scotland, and even Rangers come to that, played better without him.

He’s having a good season in a Birmingham side going well in the English Premier League and there are shades of his old self, so if he comes back and can play like that, then fine, but his talk of it being an honour to play for and captain Scotland needs to be followed up with solid displays.

Kris Boyd is another with something to prove. After being overlooked in the Norway World Cup qualifier at Hampden in October 2008, he refused to play for George Burley and withdrew himself from the international reckoning.

The Rangers striker has been accused of having the wrong attitude, but the one thing Scotland hasn’t been blessed with for years is a goalscorer, which Boyd is. The fact that he decided to pick and choose what manager he wanted to play for was wrong and his reaction to that particular snub was somewhat petulant, but he has to realise that there are millions of people, myself included, would sell family members to wear the dark blue and turn out at Hampden.

His personal feelings for Burley shouldn’t have mattered and he should have concentrated more on getting himself into the team, rather than take the huff because he wasn’t and take it out on Burley.

However the Lee McCulloch situation, which arose at the weekend, is interesting. He cited family reasons for his decision to walk away from the national team, although there was an alleged undercurrent that he also didn’t get on with Burley, but it appears he’s had a change of heart and is ready to be considered again.

If I were cynical, I would say he’s done a “Boydy” and is choosing what managers he wants to play. But that’s if I were cynical, mind. McCulloch, for me, hasn’t been a great loss to the side if I’m honest. But if Levein wants to bring him back, then again, it’s his call, but McCulloch has got to want to play for Scotland by showing it on the park.

This was the first issue Levein had to undertake when he succeeded Burley in December and he’s made it clear he’s doing it his way. Bringing these guys back is a gamble for the new man and for his sake, it’s got to pay off, but it’s up to Messrs Ferguson, McGregor, Boyd and McCulloch to show faith in Levein the way he’s showing faith in them.

Otherwise our campaign to qualify for Euro 2012 could be overshadowed by another manager versus player conflict before a ball is even kicked.

Tagged with: Scotland

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