I shared dream with Argentina stars..now I'll cheer them on against Scots, says St Mirren maestro Franco Miranda

Nov 9 2008 Gavin Berry

FRANCO MIRANDA will be at Hampden to watch Javier Mascherano and Fernando Gago strut their classsy stuff in midfield while Sergio Aguero leads the attack.

But as he takes in this month's friendly between Scotland and Argentina the St Mirren defender won't be able to stop his mind drifting back to the days when he shared a pitch with those superstars.

Diego Maradona's debut as Argentina gaffer has captured the imagination of the Scottish football public - but Miranda is excited for different reasons.

The Buddies ace can't believe his luck that his countrymen are heading to Scotland.

And the 23-year-old is more than just a fan of the South American glamour outfit - some are former team-mates and friends.

Miranda played in the same youth team as Gago, Aguero and Lionel Messi who sadly won't feature in the Hampden clash.

However, it's Liverpool star Mascherano - named captain by Maradona - whom Miranda remembers best after they won the title at River Plate in 2004.

The Love Street ace said: "It was a dream to be on the same pitch as some of these people.

"I can't believe the guys I once played with. Iwill sit at Hampden, look at some of my old team-mates and watch them with pride.

"Javier is the player I hadmost success with and it's amazingwhat he has done in football.

"I played with big stars at River like Marcelo Salas and Lucho Gonzalez but Javier was the best.

"I have nice memories of our time together and it will be funny to be in the stand at Hampden when he's on the park.

"It's the same when I watch him on television. I always think back to moments when I might have played a pass to him.

"I watched Javier against Manchester United last season when he was red carded and got stick for having a go at the ref.

"That didn't surprise me because although he was quiet he had a short temper.

"Javier doesn't speak a lot but is the best professional I've seen.

"He's only a year older thanme but acts like he's 30.

"If I met Javier again he'd stop for a chat because we had over three years together at River.

"We lost touch after that but I won't go to the Argentina team hotel to try to see him - I don't want to bother him."

Miranda will never forget his title success at River and vividly remembers the day they were crowned champions.

He said: "The last game was at home to Atletico Rafaela and we got the point we needed.

"I was young so it was a great feeling to win the league. I will always remember it.

"Playing alongside top players can only help a developing kid and I learned a lot."

Miranda also shared a pitch with some future megastars in Argentina's youth set-up.

But he pinpoints an injury before the Under-20 World Cup in 2005 as a turning point in his career. Messi inspired the nation to glory in Holland and Miranda never played for Argentina again.

Franco said: "My biggest disappointment was missing out on that World Cup. A week before the tournament the manager decided to withdraw me from the squad because I had an injury.

"Argentina went on to win the competition with the likes ofGago, Messi and Aguero who have now become huge stars. I never think about what might have been if I hadn't got that injury.

"In football you just never know and it's not like I can compare myself to the Messis of this world.

"But when I missed out on that tournament it was certainly a turning point because I didn't represent my country again.

"National team managers always look to clubs like River in Argentina but once I left it became difficult to get picked."

Miranda now just has a watching brief and will be roaring his country on when they come to Hampden.

And he insists boss Maradona will be a hit - despite Buddies team-mates doubting his credentials as a gaffer.

Franco said: "The lads at St Mirren keep saying he won't be a good manager.

"But Diego is my hero.

Every Argentinian loves Maradona - we don't care about his ability to manage.

"He must be given the chance simply because of who he is. Afterwardswe can judge him.

"I can't believe my luck that Argentina are playing in Glasgow.

"I went online and bought three tickets but our general manager Brian Caldwell then told me he could have got them for free!

"I plan to wear an Argentina shirt but will probably put a Scotland top over it because I'm sitting in the home end."