Football: Scots open door to reluctant Ferguson

THE NEWCASTLE UNITED striker Duncan Ferguson is unlikely to return to the Scotland squad despite pleas from the national team manager, Craig Brown, says the player's agent, Blair Morgan.

"As far as I am aware there's been no change in the circumstances since Duncan wrote to the Scottish Football Association before the World Cup telling them he had retired from international football," said Morgan.

"I am going to see him next week but as things stand at the moment he hasn't changed his mind and he doesn't intend to either," Morgan told the Scottish Sun.

Brown was hoping to use Tommy Craig, the former Scotland Under-21 manager on the coaching staff at Newcastle, as an intermediary to put the prospect of a Scotland comeback to the player.

Scotland have a double header with the Faroe Islands and a second meeting with the Czech Republic in Prague in June.

Ferguson, who has never scored for Scotland, won the last of his seven caps in the goalless draw with Estonia in Monaco in February 1997.

Brown said: "I know that many people want Duncan to play for Scotland, his previous and current managers have said as much, so if he is fit I will make a representation to him. The door is open for Duncan Ferguson if he wishes."