Barry Ferguson says he never discounted playing for Scotland again and is waiting on a call from the new manager before making a decision on his international career. The former Rangers captain left Scotland under a cloud after his behaviour in April earned him a lifetime ban from George Burley's squad.

But after another World Cup failure the SFA have now made yet another U-turn, announcing that the new manager will have carte blanche to select whoever he wants, including players who had been on the black-list.

"To be honest the situation that arose on Wednesday from the comments made by the chief executive have taken me by surprise," the Birmingham City midfielder told The Herald.

"Firstly, I would like to clarify that I have never once said I would never play for my country again, as some people seem to have claimed.

"I made my feelings known in August about the way the whole situation was handled - and at the time admitted my deep regret for what had happened.”

But Ferguson has been enjoying his second spell in England’s Premier League, and the 31-year-old warned that he would take time to assess how a Scotland return would impact on his life.

"I have no desire to go over old ground, I have moved on with my life. That was it as far as I was concerned.

"I have been thoroughly enjoying my football with Birmingham City and have been concentrating all my efforts on the next chapter of my career.

"So, clearly, there would be a lot for me to think about should the situation arise. I would have to speak to my family and those whom I have always trusted before any decisions could be made.

"That is, of course, if a call is made from the new manager. So I'll get on with things until I hear anything different."