Scotland pair dropped

Barry Ferguson, centre, the captain of Scotland, has been dropped for tonight's World Cup qualifer against Iceland at Hampden Park after breeching team rules.

LONDON // Scotland's captain Barry Ferguson and goalkeeper Allan McGregor have been dropped for the World Cup qualifier at home to Iceland tonight because of a breach of discipline, the Scottish FA said. "We can confirm that there has been a breach of team discipline. This is being dealt with within the squad," an SFA spokesman said today. He was reacting to media reports that the Rangers pair had stayed up drinking after Scotland's 3-0 defeat by the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Saturday.

"We are not allowing this to disrupt preparations for tonight's vital World Cup qualifying match." The SFA earlier told the BBC Ferguson and McGregor, who made his first start in a competitive game against the Dutch, would remain with the squad for the match. "Due to a breach of team discipline, they will not play," an FA spokesman was quoted as saying. "However, they could still join the squad at Hampden for the match."

It is a damaging blow for Scotland manager George Burley, whose side were beaten 3-0 by the Netherlands in Group Nine on Saturday and who need to beat Iceland at Hampden Park to maintain their hopes of finishing runners-up in the group. The Scots, who are level on four points with second-placed Iceland and eight points behind group leaders Netherlands, are already without several experienced players because of injury.

Craig Gordon, who was replaced by McGregor in Amsterdam, is expected to return against Iceland with defender Stephen McManus, who missed the defeat in Amsterdam through injury, wearing the captain's armband. *Reuters