Scotland v Argentina Friendly Preview

The Squad:
Keepers: Allan McGregor (Rangers), David Marshall (Norwich City)
Defenders: Graham Alexander (Burnley), Darren Barr (Falkirk), Christophe Berra (Hearts), Kirk Broadfoot (Rangers), Gary Caldwell (Celtic), Alan Hutton (Spurs), Jamie McAllister (Bristol City), Stephen McManus (Celtic), Gary Naysmith (Sheffield United)
Midfield: Scott Brown (Celtic), Kris Commons (Derby), Barry Ferguson (Rangers), Paul Hartley (Celtic), Scott Robertson (Dundee United), Barry Robson (Celtic)
Forwards: David Clarkson (Motherwell), Chris Iwelumo (Wolves), Shaun Maloney (Celtic), Lee Miller (Aberdeen), James McFadden (Birmingham)

These are the boys that will face off with Argentina today. A few surprises here – to me, the biggest is the distribution of position players. Only six midfielders? Five forwards? I understand that one miss is only just that, but in the broad view of things, is giving Chris Iwelumo another chance really worth the trade of having possibly only one bench player at midfield? Obviously, the return to health of Alan Hutton and James McFadden is fantastic to see. Two of the best and most loved Scots in years, and we sorely missed them. The return of captain Barry Ferguson, if he’s truly back to form, is also welcome. Another surprise, this one a happy one – the debut of Scott Robertson. Dundee United have been a class side in Scotland this season, and Robertson has earned this spot. It’s nice to see Burley looking outside the Old Firm, but still within the SPL, a bit more. It gives me hope some day of a Don Cowie call-up. But that’s another matter. With the aforementioned thin state of the midfield roster, he should get his cap.

No way around it – it’s going to be a tough ask to take much from this match. Scotland is a bit beaten up (when are we not?), and Argentina is (Messi or not), one of the best sides in international football. After this match, there’s a long, long break until March, when the toughest match of our World Cup qualifying group comes around – the trip to Holland. Frankly, that, like this, is a bit of a bonus match. Anything we take from it will be a happy surprise, and we can live without a result.

Still, with Maradona on the touchline, and a stadium full of Scots chanting, it will be a great night. One of the greatest sides in the game (sadly not the home side) in one of the greatest atmospheres in the world. Mon the Scots.