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Two exiles return for Scotland, but still no Ferguson

Barry Ferguson is not in the Scotland squad © Getty Images

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Allan McGregor and Barry Ferguson have missed out on a recall to the Scotland squad.

Ferguson is left out, as expected, with new manager Craig Levein aiming to persuade the Birmingham midfielder to return to the fold next season.

Rangers goalkeeper McGregor, who has not played for his country for almost a year due to his involvement in the 'Boozegate' affair, was expected to be selected for Levein's first game in charge against Czech Republic on Wednesday week.

But he has been left out after being injured in an incident in Glasgow city centre on Saturday night. Reports suggest the 28-year-old required hospital treatment for injuries sustained in an incident outside a nightclub.

Levein said: "I got a phonecall from Walter last night explaining what had happened and that he was a doubt for the Rangers game next weekend. I'm looking for certainty. It doesn't look like he's going to be fit, so it's nice and simple.

"Once this game is out the way, he will be considered for the next match.''

Rangers would not elaborate on McGregor's condition, with some reports claiming he suffered an eye injury which could rule him out of Sunday's Old Firm derby.

His place in the Scotland squad has instead gone to Ibrox team-mate Neil Alexander, while elsewhere Levein handed recalls to Rangers' duo Kris Boyd and Lee McCulloch, both of whom controversially made themselves unavailable for selection under former manager George Burley.

Andy Webster was recalled as expected and the on-loan Rangers defender was joined by fellow Dundee United defenders Garry Kenneth and Paul Dixon.

Bristol City midfielder Paul Hartley, 33, was recalled along with his team-mate Chris Iwelumo, who recently joined the Robins on loan from Wolves.

Among those omitted from the 24-man squad were Celtic defender Stephen McManus, who is on loan at Middlesbrough, and Cardiff striker Ross McCormack.

SQUAD: Alexander (Rangers), Gordon (Sunderland), Marshall (Cardiff City); Hutton (Tottenham), Berra (Wolves), Caldwell (Wigan), Dixon (Dundee United), Kenneth (Dundee United), Wallace (Hearts), Webster (Rangers) Whittaker (Rangers), Adam (Blackpool), Brown (Celtic), Dorrans (West Brom) , Fletcher (Manchester United), Hartley (Bristol City), McCulloch (Rangers), McFadden (Birmingham), Robson (Middlesbrough), Thomson (Rangers), Boyd (Rangers), Fletcher (Burnley), Iwelumo (Wolves), Miller (Rangers).

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