Ferguson and McGregor still out

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Rangers duo Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor were not named in the squad to face Hibs at Easter Road - despite returning from their club suspension.

Ferguson was stripped of the captaincy and both he and McGregor were fined and suspended for two weeks for indiscipline while on Scotland duty.

Rangers manager Walter Smith reacted furiously to V-signs made by the pair while on the bench against Iceland.

McGregor travelled with the squad to Edinburgh, but Ferguson was absent.

Ferguson and McGregor have been told they will not be considered for Scotland duty again.

Rangers have taken maximum points from games against Falkirk, St Mirren and Motherwell in the pair's absence and the Ibrox side are aiming for victory over Hibs to close the gap on league leaders Celtic to a single point.

Assistant manager Ally McCoist told BBC Scotland that Rangers goalkeeper Neil Alexander deserved to keep his place.

"It's just the same, there's no mystery at all. Neil has been doing fine; he's playing well and we've lost a couple of goals you couldn't blame him for at all," McCoist said.

"So, he deserves to keep his place. We always bring three goalkeepers for us for every home and away game. (Graeme) Smithy will be the reserve goalkeeper for us today.

"Barry didn't travel with the squad."

Rangers manager Walter Smith had indicated that the pair would not play for the Ibrox club again.

But he softened his stance after questioning the Scottish Football Association's handling of the duo's late-night drinking session at a Scotland hotel and the subsequent gestures row.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ers/8006943.stm

Thought I would post this.