Gordon Smith has slammed disgraced former Scotland captain Barry Ferguson after he labelled the SFA a ‘joke’ on the eve of the crunch clash with Norway.

Ferguson and ex-Rangers team-mate Allan McGregor were banned from the national team for life after making v-sign gestures at photographers after being dropped to the bench against Iceland in April following a late-night drinking session.

Midfielder Ferguson, who left Rangers to join Birmingham City in the summer, admitted he had been in the wrong but maintains that the SFA handled the situation poorly.

“I was totally in the wrong with what happened at the hotel,” Ferguson said earlier this week.

“But, for me, the way the SFA handled the entire situation was a joke.”

But SFA chief executive Smith believes the timing of the remarks is deliberate and intended to have a negative effect on the team’s preparations for their crucial World Cup Qualifier in Oslo.

“The timing of Barry’s remarks is obviously planned to try to be negative regarding something to do with the team,” said Smith.

“It’s not good timing when it comes a couple of days before one of the most important matches Scotland will ever play and for me it’s not an accident.

“But I’m sure the squad will just be focused on getting the result out in Norway.”