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.

Diego Maradona takes his first training session at Celtic Park before they take on Scotland in a international friendly match at Hampden Park on November 17, 2008 (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

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.

New Argentina coach Diego Maradona chats with young Celtic ballboys as he takes part to a training session with his team on November 17, 2008 in Glasgow on the eve of their friendly football match against Scotland at Celtic Park. (Photo RUSSELL CHEYNE/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

Former Argentinian international footballer and new manager of the Argentina football team Diego Maradona (L) watches players during a training session at Celtic Park in Glasgow on Novemeber 17, 2008 ahead of their friendly match against Scotland. AFP PHOTO / Russell Cheyne (Photo credit should read Russell Cheyne/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

Diego Maradona takes his first training session at Celtic Park before they take on Scotland in a international friendly match at Hampden, November 17, 2008 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

JustAnOrdinaryBhoy – follow on Twitter @ordinarybhoy

HUGE SAVINGS IN THE CELTIC STAR’S SUMMER SALE!

The Celtic Star’s Father’s Day Promotion has been so successful, with hundreds of books at great prices being posted to Celtic fans all over the world, that we’ve decided to continue with the sale until the end of July. We’ve reduced all six books currently available from their usual retail price of £20 and prices are as low as £6 (see below).

All books are high quality hardback, with some signed by the author. And it’s also worth noting that you only pay postage on one book, so it’s free for the second, third and so on. ORDER HERE or click on The Celtic Star image above…this is how it feels to be Celtic!