Ferguson: 'Premier League could tempt Eck'

Updated 09.40 Tue Nov 20 2007

Keywords: SPL, Premier League, Italy, Euro 2008, Scotland, Alex McLeish, Barry Ferguson, sport, football

Scotland captain Barry Ferguson fears a Premier League club could tempt Alex McLeish away from the national side.

McLeish has insisted he has no plans to stand down after coming so close to guiding the Tartan Army to their first major finals since France 98 following Saturday's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Italy in their final Euro 2008 Group B qualifier.

"Right now I wouldn't blame Big Eck if he did quit" - Barry Ferguson

But Ferguson has revealed that he would not be surprised if his former Rangers manager was lured away: "Right now I wouldn't blame Big Eck if he did quit.

"I want Eck to stay because I have a lot of time and respect for him. But I fear the lure of the Premiership might be too much for him to knock back.

"Premiership clubs have finances and salary offers the SFA have no chance of competing with. All I know is that no-one should hold a grudge against Alex McLeish if he does go. I would be gutted if we lost him, but I'd understand his reasons.

"I'll admit it, I think he misses the day-to-day involvement, the same way Walter Smith did when he left the job to come back to Rangers."