Maradona in Scotland: Memories of football’s ‘greatest’

Diego Maradona, who has died aged 60, scored his first goal for Argentina at Hampden in 1979.

Maradona in Scotland: Memories of football’s ‘greatest’ SNS Group

There wasn’t much Diego Maradona didn’t achieve in his incredible football career.

From lifting the World Cup to guiding previously lowly Napoli to the Italian league title and European success.

Two of the landmark dates on his glittering sporting CV happened in Scotland – his first goal for then-world champions Argentina in 1979, and his debut as his nation’s manager in 2008.

Maradona’s death aged 60 on Wednesday sparked an outpouring of grief across the world – underlining his place in history as one of, if not the, greatest footballers of all time, his flaws such as drug addiction only serving to enhance his legacy.

Scotland striker Frank McGarvey played in the 1979 clash at Hampden and recalled thinking better of pursuing the 18-year-old starlet.

He said: “I remember chasing him, I was quick and he had the ball but he was running away from me and so I left him to David Narey and Paul Hegarty and went to mark someone else.

“He was too good for me. He was outstanding in every way.”

Here’s some memories of the times he graced the turf in Glasgow…

June 1979: Maradona stars as Argentina beat Scotland 3-1 at Hampden

Maradona evades a challenge from Paul Hegarty.SNS Group
Maradona battles for possession against Asa Hartford.SNS Group
Hampden was packed as Maradona strutted his stuff, seen here on the left of the picture.SNS Group

November 2008: Argentina train at Celtic Park ahead of Scotland game

Ball boy Adam Brown, 13, received a special gift from then-Argentina manager Maradona as his squad trained at Celtic Park before a friendly with Scotland.SNS Group

Maradona in the Hampden dugout as Argentina beat Scotland 1-0

Maradona took charge of Argentina for the first time in a friendly at Hampden.SNS Group
The legend watched his new side beat Scotland 1-0.SNS Group