Barry Ferguson will accept being stripped of the captaincy and suspended from Rangers for two weeks. Ferguson and keeper Allan McGregor were involved in a lengthy drinking session at the Scotland team hotel following their return from Holland at the weekend.

But it was the incident which followed - when they appeared to flick V-signs while on the bench at Hampden on Wednesday night - which prompted the sever disciplinary action.

Asked if he regrets his actions of the last few days, Ferguson told Rangers TV: "Of course. I'd be a fool not to. I held my hands up on Sunday night and said that I did the wrong thing.

"We all make mistakes and I made a big mistake here and I need to pay the consequences which come from making those mistakes.

"I just need to get on with it now, take what comes and get on with my life."

McGregor added: "I can understand how the club is feeling. I'm just deeply sorry and embarrassed by what I've done." The club's stance was backed by the Rangers Supporters Assembly.

RSA president Andy Kerr said: "It is very disappointing that two of our key players have let themselves, the club and all our supporters down by behaving in such an inappropriate manner and the club had no option but to take the action they did."