Duncan Ferguson has admitted his refusal to play international football is the biggest regret of his career.
The former Everton striker scored 126 goals in 423 professional appearances, but played just seven times for Scotland after quitting the national side prematurely in 1997, aged 26.
Ferguson‘s decision to make himself unavailable for selection was in protest at the Scottish Football Association’s (SFA) decision to ban him for 12 matches following a headbutt on Raith Rovers defender Jock McStay in 1994.
The incident, which occurred whilst playing for Rangers, led to him spending 44 days in prison in 1995.
But Ferguson has now revealed his remorse at having not played more for his country as a result of the fallout, as he joined talkSPORT Breakfast ahead of the launch of his autobiography ‘Big Dunc’.
The 53-year-old, who scored 68 Premier League goals for Everton and Newcastle, reflected: “I had seven caps. I never scored for my country.
“I’ve scored the most goals in Premier League history as a Scottish player. But yet, I never scored one for my country.
“It makes me really sad to be honest, and upset.”
Joining former Rangers and Scotland teammate Ally McCoist in the studio, Ferguson admitted writing his upcoming book had forced him to confront his feelings about his international career.
He said: “It brought back a lot of memories, and bitterness as well, for how the thing happened with Scotland.
“I only got seven caps, Ally. Seven caps for my country. And it was my fault, you know that.
“I decided to retire. I refused to go back for all the years. In fact, you actually, you tried to get me back.”
The Scot went on to become a cult hero at Everton, spending a combined 10 years at Goodison Park in two stints at the club[/caption]
After McCoist discussed trying to convince him to reconsider his stance, Ferguson opened up on his anger at the time, which prompted to prematurely end his career with the Tartan Army.
He continued: “Look, obviously going to prison is not a good experience, is it? It was terrible for me. And I was blaming everybody.
“I blamed everybody for it. I blamed the SFA. I blamed the press up there. I blamed everybody.
“I was young. And of course, I believe I was right, in a way, on my stance.”
Ferguson added: “I wish I could just go back, but you can’t go back.
“As you get older, you get a bit wiser. When you’re younger, you’re a bit stupid.”
The Scot’s early playing days were marred by controversy and off-the-field incidents, as he received four separate convictions for assault, including his 1994 headbutt whilst at Rangers.
And despite becoming a cult hero at Everton after signing in 1994, where he scored 72 goals in 177 games across two stints at the club, Ferguson admitted he felt he could have achieved more as a player had he stayed out of trouble.
When asked by McCoist if he had regrets over his career, he replied: “Ally, an unbelievable amount of regrets, but who’s not?”
He went on: “I have to [have regrets], because my career could have been so much better, right?
“When I was a young man, football to me was easy. It wasn’t difficult. Between maybe 18 and 20 when I first started my career, everything was easy for me. I thought it was just going forever.
“And then you’re not living the right lifestyle, injuries are starting to mount up on you. And you’re missing so many games.
“And you don’t think, for instance, you don’t think it’s the nights out. You don’t think it’s the booze when you’re younger, you’re not thinking.
“Of course, as you get a bit older and a bit wiser, you realise.”
