Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies has thrown his weight behind Scotland manager George Burley after the Scotland manager dropped Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor following their drinking session over the weekend.
The Ibrox pair watched the clash against Iceland from the bench on Wednesday and the former Hearts boss reckons both players have a lot to answer for.
“You let them have a few beers, but you have to ask them themselves why they stay up that late,” Jefferies told the Scottish Sun. “I don’t know why but George Burley has seen fit to deal with it and taken them out of the starting line-up.
“When you are a manager and you have to confront someone who has stepped out of line then you have to sort it out in your own way.
“I have had it once on either a pre-season trip or an end of season trip when it was one player and one member of my backroom staff.
“They got a bit jolly and stayed up longer than they should and you deal with that in your own way.
“But it is a bit different from an end-of-season break as opposed to a huge World Cup tie. Everyone handles it differently, though, and I think the way George has handled it is fair enough.
“Players have to take responsibility and they are experienced players who should know how to behave.”
However, the Killie boss understands how the scenario may have developed.
He added: “I would think nobody will regret it more now than the players.
“It’s not a life-or-death situation, but it is indiscipline and George has dealt with it and that should be the end of the matter.
“They are professional footballers, they have travelled after the game and you would imagine they wouldn’t be allowed a drink on the plane.
“It’s been an act of stupidity on their part and they take the consequences. You can’t blame any manager for doing what they did.
“I’m afraid that if the reports are right then they deserve everything that is coming to them. You just don’t do these things and take advantage because the manager was good enough to give you a couple of hours off.
He continued: “I would feel disappointed and let down as well because you expect your skipper to set an example.
“George had to act. He couldn’t let them get away with it because it would have sent out the wrong message to the other players after they have taken advantage while the rest have gone to bed.
“Any manager would have taken steps to do the same and it would have been worse if he had let them away with it, especially if we lost.
“George has been brave because McGregor was the keeper on Saturday and Ferguson is a great midfielder and one we could have done with being available.”