Crowds flock to greet Maradona

As Diego Maradona landed in Glasgow yesterday to prepare for his first game as Argentina's manager – against Scotland on Wednesday – the executive who hired him told The Independent he is under no illusions that Maradona's tenure will be trouble-free.

"Having Maradona as our manager creates anticipation like your wedding night," said Julio Grondona, the president of the Argentine FA. "It's tremendously exciting, and you really hope that it will be wonderful, but you never actually know what's going to happen."�

Maradona's arrival sparked frenzied scenes at Glasgow airport, where seven film crews from as far afield as South America and France joined dozens of photographers and a crowd of fans in the scrum to catch a glimpse of him.

Maradona scored his first international goal in 1979 against Scotland in a friendly at Hampden, and has been a particular hero north of the border since his "Hand of God"� goal against England in 1986.

Posters of that moment were among memorabilia thrust at him at the airport yesterday for his autograph as he made slow progress from the terminal building to the private bus that carried him to his hotel.

The only disappointed person in the crowd was a girl aged about ten who looked perplexed at all the attention given to the day's star turn. "I thought it was going to be Madonna," she said.

The 48-year-old World Cup-winning Maradona, protected by around dozen police officers as well as private security guards, declined to answer any questions at the airport apart from saying he was "contento"� (happy) to be in Scotland. His only words in English to questions about his new job, were: "I don't speak English."

Having reached the safety of his bus, he stood on the steps signing autographs for a few minutes before being driven to the Radisson Hotel in the city centre, where his players were congregating.

Another van full of policeman was on hand there to escort Maradona through the front door, where a small army of private security guards took over his care. He was unable to walk more than a few paces anywhere without being stopped for an autograph or photograph.

Maradona's appointment, despite his very limited coaching experience, has not been greeted with wholesale approval by Argentina's football fans, many of whom remain unconvinced that their idol's addictions and episodes of ill health and irrational behaviour are forever behind him. The man himself looked healthy enough; bright-eyed and cheerful if a little stocky.

"I'm delighted to be able to return in these circumstances,"� said Grondona, 77, whose last trip to Scotland was in 1979, the year he became the AFA president. "Maradona scored that wonderful goal when I was here before, and I'm proud this time that he comes back as the manager. I know the Scottish people love him and they will look forward to Wednesday as well."

Grondona would not be drawn in public on the row last week between him and his new manager over who Maradona can employ as his coaching team. Nor would be elaborate on reports that Maradona has yet to sign his managerial contract and is holding out for a salary of £1m a year, or three times what his predecessor, Alfio Basile, earned.

Grondona privately made it clear, however, that there was no danger of Maradona's position being put in doubt over something as trivial as money.

Maradona will take his first coaching session as Argentina's manager this afternoon at Celtic Park and is expected to give his first press conference some time today, although as always with Maradona, the specifics remained unclear last night.

International Football Friendly, Scotland - Argentina, 19 Nov, who will win?