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Barry Ferguson
Birth Date: Feb 2 1978
Birth Place: Glasgow
Birth Nation: Scotland
Height: 180cm
Weight: 73Kg
Nationality: Scottish
Position: Midfielder
Barry Ferguson Rumours and Transfers 24 10 2007 Alex McLeish has praised the SPL for postponing the matches involving Rangers and Celtic prior to Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifier against Italy.
The SPL agreed to a request from the Scottish Football Association, instigated by McLeish, to rearrange Celtic's home match against Falkirk on November 10 and Rangers' trip to St Mirren the following day.
New dates for both games will be announced in "due course", the SPL have confirmed, and Scotland manager McLeish is delighted a large number of his players will have a free weekend ahead of the national team's crucial fixture.
"It's great news. We really pushed for it," McLeish told the Daily Mail.
"The managers were behind us all the way. It frees up about 10 players and, while I was never worried about match sharpness, it makes sure these players don't get injured. It is a real boost, a fantastic bonus, and we really appreciate it."
However the SPL are upset with the SFA who declined to meet the cost of postponing the two matches.
SFA chief executive Gordon Smith approached the SPL to seek the postponements after McLeish suggested it would benefit the national team for the Old Firm stars to be allowed a break.
But SPL executive chairman Lex Gold has been unhappy with the SFA's attitude towards finding a solution to suit all parties, and said: "It is a matter of considerable disappointment that the SFA has refused to help defray the costs which will be incurred by our clubs."
McLeish draws a significant number of his Scotland squad and first-choice line-up from Glasgow's biggest two teams, players such as captain Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch, David Weir, Paul Hartley, Alan Hutton, Kris Boyd and Stephen McManus.
15 10 2007 Scotland flew out to Georgia on Monday boosted by the news that Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher may have recovered enough from injury to start in their Euro 2008 Group B qualifier.
The Scots remarkably top the group, which also includes France and Italy, and victory in Tblisi and a point at home to Italy next month would see them through to the finals.
With several squad members out through injury or suspension, Scotland have been able to call on Fletcher, back in training after suffering a knee injury a month ago.
Assistant coach Andy Watson told the BBC Website: "It's great he has been able to come in and be available for us after all the call-offs we have had."
Georgia, long out of contention, are also missing several key players through injury.
They include captain Kakha Kaladze and experienced midfielder Levan Kobiashvili, while goalkeeper Giorgi Lomaia was sent home after giving up a soft goal in last Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Italy.
AC Milan full back Kaladze and Kobiashvili, who plays for Bundesliga side Schalke 04, suffered thigh and groin injuries while playing for their clubs two weeks ago.
Teams (probable):
Georgia - Giorgi Makaridze; Lasha Salukvadze, Zurab Khizanishvili, Malkhaz Asatiani, Georgi Shashiashvili, Levan Tskitishvili, Zurab Menteshashvili, Jaba Kankava, David Kvirkvelia, Levan Kenia, Georgi Demetradze.
Scotland - Craig Gordon; Graeme Murty, David Weir, Stephen McManus, Gary Naysmith; Darren Fletcher, Barry Ferguson, Stephen Pearson, Gary Teale; James McFadden, Kenny Miller.
12 10 2007 Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson has revealed he turned down the chance to sign for Zenit St Petersburg in January.
The Russian outfit made an approach for the player back in the January transfer window but Ferguson says he did not fancy the switch and did not even speak to them.
"There was interest from Zenit, but I didn't even need to speak to them about it. I just knew moving to Russia wasn't for me," Ferguson told a national newspaper.
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