Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith revealed he would consider overturning the lifetime bans on Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor. The SFA has told the duo they would "no longer be considered for international selection" following their behaviour whilst on national team duty just over two months ago.

In an unscheduled phone call to BBC Scotland's Sportsound programme, Smith said: "If George (Burley) was very strong on it then we would have to look at it very closely, of course we would."

He added: "I would think in most circumstances the board of directors might actually take it on board if George Burley was so intent on bringing these players back for very good reason.

"George would have to be the one that would have to come and say he's got a change of decision."

He added: "We actually asked the board if they were comfortable with this decision because George felt this was the right thing to do."

Smith refused to confirm whether he himself had voted for the ban or whether the board's decision was unanimous.

But the former Rangers striker did say tellingly: "I didn't want either of these two players to be out of the team.

"I want all our best players to play.

"I actually happen to like Barry Ferguson very much as well - I know him.

"And yet, we had to make a decision because this was the Scottish international team on duty and what happened was an embarrassment to the international team."