Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Steven Mair

Barry Ferguson has Rangers postponement change of heart as he jokes 'cancel the game' after Alfredo Morelos call up

Barry Ferguson quipped he's had a sudden change of heart when it comes to playing or delaying the upcoming Celtic vs Rangers clash after Alfredo Morelos was ruled out by an international call up.

The Colombia striker has been summoned as part of a 28-man selection for winter qualifiers against Peru and Argentina thanks to his improved Ibrox form.

But he's bound not to be the only one missing on February 2.

Any of Celtic's four Japanese stars are at least in the conversation for call-ups while Australia are certain to give Tom Rogic the nod.

Americans on either side of the divide - James Sands and Cameron Carter-Vickers - have strong cases to be involved there while Kemar Roofe is a consistent Jamaica pick.

Then there's Joe Aribo who remains a standout for last-16 bound Nigeria at AFCON.

It was the Japanese quartet at Parkhead that started the debate however with SPFL rules dictating a club can request a postponement if they have a tranche of stars away on international duty.

Ferguson gave that short shrift at first but hilariously had a change of mind when he found out live on the Go Radio Football Show that Morelos had been selected.

He joked: "Cancel the game!

"I was saying the game's got to go ahead but now I've changed my opinion.

"Listen, you know this with the South Americans and obviously the African Nations Cup, there are players you're going to miss.

"That's why you've got a big squad, that's maybe one of the reasons they've brought Cedric Itten back, knowing there may be a possibility Morelos is going to get called up.

"But that's a big miss if he's going away with Colombia.

"Because, certainly since Gio has come in, he's looked back to his best."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.