As the famous song goes, ‘and most of the football greats have passed through Parkhead’s Gates.’ A beautiful song in praise of the many legends who have graced the hoops throughout the years. There have been many greats of course who have passed through Parkhead’s Gates as opponents, and one player who is considered by many to be the best footballer of all time strolled into Paradise fifteen years ago.
It was November 2008 and Scotland were involved in a friendly match. The visitors were Argentina and the South Americans were managed by the one and only Diego Armando Maradona, it was also his first game in charge of his nation.
Argentina decided to train at Celtic Park much to the delight of the Celtic supporters who were desperate to get a glimpse of the Argentine (hand of) god.
This might have been a meaningless international, but such was the attention the great man received, the build up was like a World Cup final. Television cameras from around the globe filmed his arrival and over a hundred newspaper reporters were in attendance. The club itself even put up a welcoming message in Spanish on the big screen for Diego.
Some of the Celtic under 14 side were present at Celtic Park that night helping the Argentines in their preparations.
While doing their ball boy duties they got a close up glimpse of stars such as Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano and Gabriel Heinze, but the man they were all in awe of was the older overweight man in a tracksuit, a man who retired from the game before they started school. That man was of course Diego Maradona.
Considered by many to be the greatest player to have played the beautiful game. They might not have seen him play but they knew all about him, even in his late 40s he would still have possessed more talent than most players in the planet. The man was a genius and these boys were very lucky indeed to see such greatness close up.
For one boy in particular, 14 year old Adam Brown it was even more so. The youngster came to the rescue of Argentine midfielder Fernando Gago who lost his treasured crucifix which fell off during the warm up. Young Adam and the rest of his mates frantically searched on the Celtic Park turf for the missing jewellery.
The Cumbernauld youngster was the one that found it and was hoisted high in the air by the grateful hand of god himself. What a moment for young Adam who’s deed made global news as it was captured by the many cameras and journalists in attendance. The picture of him being lifted high by Maradona was splashed across the world and the story was told worldwide.
Young Adam also received the great man’s hat and gloves which I’m sure as an adult he still treasures.
While he might not have played a game at Paradise, those famous feet did walk onto the Celtic Park turf. We’ve witnessed many greats throughout the years at our famous stadium and Maradona is one of them, maybe even the best ever.
God bless you Diego.
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