Burley cautious over Barry Ferguson's return

SCOTLAND manager George Burley has welcomed Barry Ferguson back to his team as captain for tomorrow's friendly against Argentina at Hampden, but sounded a note of caution on the midfielder's fitness.

Ferguson, 30, has not played for his country for a year – when he scored in the defeat by Italy that ended Scotland's Euro 2008 hopes – and has yet to feature under Burley.

He has played two full games for Rangers since returning from summer ankle surgery and will start at the national stadium as Diego Maradona takes charge of Argentina for the first time.

Burley, hit by six unavailability's for the match, is glad to get his first look at the Ibrox captain under his tutelage – although he has declined to confirm how long he expects Ferguson to play.

He said: "Barry is going to start, and we will have a look at it.

"He's back from a long-term injury and he has played two 90 minutes for Rangers.

"It's good to have him back, and we are pleased he is fit again. But we will see how it goes."

Ferguson admits he had one eye on the Argentina game while he was returning to fitness.

He said: "It's obviously a game that everyone in the squad, not just myself, is desperate to play in.

"Argentina are one of the best teams about and have some fantastic players.

"When I found out we were going to be playing them, it was one of the games I was desperate to get back and get involved in – and thankfully my rehab has gone well."

Ferguson also missed friendlies against Croatia and the Czech Republic last season because of ankle problems before going under the surgeon's knife in July.

Rangers manager Walter Smith said last Tuesday that he felt Ferguson was not ready to play a full game. However, he lasted 90 minutes in the his first start of the season against Motherwell the following day and played another full game on Saturday against St Mirren.

Smith added last week: "We've got two games before the Scotland game and so he's ready to start a game for us. But whether he's ready to start against Argentina is another thing.

"It's up to George but it's natural that if someone has been out for five months, then they can't just come back and play a full 90 minutes, and then another 90 minutes and then another 90 minutes after that."