But it remains highly unlikely that the Birmingham City midfielder will play for his country again.

Levein has spoken with Ferguson’s club boss, Alex McLeish, over his intention to meet the 31-year-old – and given his respect for the new man Ferguson will sit down and talk things through.

His former Rangers team-mates Kris Boyd and Allan McGregor have both said they want to be involved again under the new Scots gaffer.

Boyd walked out on former boss George Burley in October 2008 after being constantly overlooked.

McGregor, along with Ferguson, was banished for his part in the Boozegate fiasco six months later. However, Ferguson’s circumstances are completely different from the Gers duo. As revealed in SportTimes last week, there are major issues that are likely to scupper any chance of Ferguson going back.

He would only say today: “I have a lot of respect for Craig Levein. I am aware of what the other two boys have said, but I have my own decisions to make, assuming that I am asked to go back. I haven’t heard anything directly.

“However, as I have said consistently over the past few weeks, I have never been happier in my life than I am right now down here at Birmingham. And the club and the manager have been excellent in the way I get time off to go back up the road, and to get the right rest to keep me ready to play in what is a very demanding league.

“I will not do anything to jeopardise that contentment I have right now. The happiness of my family is absolutely the most important thing to me.”

Crucially, Ferguson wants no impact or disruption on his family life. He commutes between his base just outside Birmingham and his home in Lanark at least twice a week, and knows that a return to the Scotland fold would seriously impinge on the time off he has with his family when international get-togethers take place.

The midfielder is also enjoying a renaissance at Birmingham. At the weekend he said: “My original plan was to come down here for a couple of years and then go back up the road and play down the leagues – but the way things are going I believe I could stay in England, barring any serious injuries until 35 or 36. I feel as fit as I ever have in my career.

“To that end, Ferguson is aware that embarking on a 2012 European Championship qualification campaign may not help his efforts to prolong his career at the top end of the game.

McLeish hinted as much this morning when he said: “Barry understands the demands of the Premier League, but it’s up to him, it’s his decision.

“It will be tough for him to combine international and Premier League football, especially at his age. He is at his peak and playing tremendously for us.

“I can’t make Barry’s decision for him, but I think he has to look at the example of Paul Scholes, who is being offered another contract by Sir Alex Ferguson at 36. Barry could take that as an example.”

Boyd said today: “If I get picked I’ll be there. It was always my hope to play for Scotland again so hopefully now it will happen.

“What’s happened in the past is gone now. I want to be part of the Scotland squad for the qualifying campaign for the next European championships.”

And McGregor added: “If Craig Levein wants me to play a part in his plans then he wont have to ask me twice. The answer is yes, please.

“I am thrilled to hear that Craig wants to talk to us.”