Thomson backed by Naismith

Steven Naismith has tipped Rangers team-mate Kevin Thomson to fill the void left by Barry Ferguson in the Scotland team.

Craig Levein confirmed on Tuesday that Ferguson will not play for the national team again after choosing to concentrate on his club career with Birmingham instead.

But as far as Naismith is concerned, Levein has a ready-made replacement in Thomson, and he said: "Kevin Thomson was the first name that sprung to mind when I heard the news. He has done so well over the last couple of years for Rangers and he was the first to come to my mind."

He added: "It will be an opportunity for guys like Kevin Thomson, who have pushed on now.

"There are a few players out there who will think they are good enough. Players who have been down in England, like Graham Dorrans, as well. He has done well at West Brom so he is another candidate as well."

The Scotland and Rangers forward believes Ferguson's decision not to make a comeback in the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers is a blow but one he understands.

"He will be a massive loss," he said.

"We felt it at Rangers when he left here. It was a massive loss for us and it will be the same again for Scotland, especially on the international stage where you need players who have got a lot of experience.

"Fergie was the one who probably had the most experience out of the whole squad so it will be a big loss.

"But you just have to look at players in the past, guys like Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, who have prolonged their careers by stopping playing international football. So I can understand totally why Barry has done it."