AMID mass call-offs and the seeming indifference of the public this meeting between Scotland and Argentina had small hope of elevating itself above the continued fascination in the little individual who looked on from the sidelines.
An early, deflating goal for the opposition ensured that Diego Armando Maradona remained the story throughout his return to Glasgow.
At 7.28pm he walked back out at Hampden Park, the place where, in rather more inclement conditions, he had sc
ored his first international goal for his country, nearly 30 years ago. Although then so young, he kept the promise made to his European audience that afternoon, and went on to claim greatness in the game. There was one promise he failed to keep however, and that was his stated eve-of-match ambition to stage a feast of football for his Scottish fans, although Argentina did enough to gain revenge for the 1-0 defeat on their last visit to Hampden, back in 1990.
Maradona was absent then on a promotional tour to Japan, a sign, perhaps, that the genius had begun to unravel. But he was present last night to receive the adoration of the crowd, as well as re-engage with the memory of a time when he struck Argentina's final goal in the 3-1 victory over Scotland. This is not the only reason Scottish fans claim a relationship with him, though Terry Butcher, a still-seething victim of Maradona's hand-ball against England in 1986, kept a safe - if not respectful - distance from the Argentinian last night, in his role as Scotland assistant manager.
Later Maradona took the opportunity to humiliate Butcher, something which recalled the way he left the defender flailing in the run-up to his other strike that afternoon in Mexico City. "Butcher? Who is Butcher?" he asked, following the inevitable question about whether he had shaken hands with his old foe. "I greeted the manager of Scotland. But who is this Butcher?"
Maradona had appeared for the warm-up and joined his players at the east end of the ground - the end where he fired his opening salvo for Argentina, beating substitute Scotland goalkeeper George Wood after a series of feints. Understandably, given the current ill-health of pregnant daughter Giannina, he seemed lost in thought. He left immediately after the game in order to join her in Madrid, having thanked Butcher for giving him a much-needed laugh. But there was, perhaps, an additional reason for these snatched moments of contemplation before the match.
It is exaggerating to claim this is where it all started for Maradona, but even given all the subsequent adventures, there is no doubt that this patch of grass in the south side of Glasgow still means something quite profound for the legend. There wasn't the size of audience desired by the Scottish FA, although while the fans resisted the lure of seeing Maradona in the flesh - or at least a snug-looking Puffa jacket - the journalists rolled in from all corners of the world. In the press area, at least, it was standing room only.
It is a different Hampden now of course. Then, in 1979, over 62,000 basked in sunshine, and found themselves seduced by the notion that here was a player worthy of Pele's crown. The old terraces have since been swept away, as has been the old Scottish confidence, the old assuredness. Last night promised little, particularly after seven call-offs.
But the Tartan Army were in the mood to welcome Maradona, who, since 1986, has been their principal mascot (alongside other, less famous slayers of England). Even the Scotland players appeared unable to resist taking snatched glances behind them as they prepared to walk down the tunnel, in the hope of a close-up glimpse.
The veneration felt for Argentina helped make their national anthem one of the most respected of those performed here recently. Maradona stood stony-faced, his features now almost craggy despite years of excess. The tears will perhaps be saved for later, for the moment which many observers predict will mark the inevitably unhappy end of a foolish indulgence by the Argentine FA.
But for now, let the good times roll appears to be the sentiment, even if Julio Grondona, the 77 year-old president of the Argentinian FA, had struck of note of caution on the eve of last night's match. He likened the clash with Scotland to a wedding night - "you really hope it will be wonderful, but you never actually know how it's going to turn out". Nothing which has Maradona at the controls can ever be taken for certain, and, as if to illustrate this point, he has already threatened to quit since accepting the role of head coach last month.
The cameras kept flashing. Just as the Queen thinks the world smells of fresh paint, so Maradona must labour under the illusion that small electrical storms break out with regular intervals wherever he goes. He smiled at the fans who pressed-up against the fence, and acknowledged the Tannoy announcer's eager welcome for the opposition manager: "It's great to have him back in the ground where he scored his first goal for Argentina!". Maradona raised his left hand - the hand of God, of course.
In the stands there were messages of support as well. "Thank You for '86" read one banner, while another hailed him as "amigo, hero, legend". The Scotland team could have done with this backing as they initially found the opposition impossible to live with. Maradona sat like Buddha, content to see things go so obviously his way in his first match as international coach. A goal after just eight minutes, from Atletico Madrid's Maxi Rodriguez, stamped Argentina's authority on the match, though Maradona's reaction was surprisingly calm. He kept his arms folded. It was a contrast to the impassioned actions of former times, the prayer-gestures in front of referees, the mad-faced rants into pitch-side television cameras.
He finally offered more involvement, leaping down from his perch and jogging out towards the fringe of the technical area. When there he imparted some wisdom to a pair of centre-backs who appeared unusually alert to this bellowing from the touchline. It helps to be heard when you have a CV which includes captaining your country to World Cup glory, and almost doing it again four years later.
The full article contains 1079 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
