GARY NAYSMITH knows footballing tasks don't come much tougher than taking on Diego Maradona's Argentina – but the former Hearts player wouldn't have it any other way.
The Sheffield United defender sees the Hampden clash as an ideal opportunity to restore some faith in the Scotland side after some disappointing results from a nation which has not qualified for the finals of a major tournament in a decade.
"I do
n't think there is any point in us playing so-called lesser teams. It's good for us to challenge ourselves against teams who are ranked above us," said the former Everton star.
"It's a good challenge for us because it is not often you get to play against the top South American teams. We seem to play tough teams in the friendlies. We had Croatia, the Czech Republic and even Northern Ireland gave us a tough game for different reasons.
"This will probably be our toughest yet. But so long as we are learning against these teams, then that is the most important thing.
"I understand that some might think it is better to play teams below us because, when you see the world rankings, we have slipped down a bit. But you have to take into account who we have actually played in that time."
Scotland are currently 33rd in the world, according to FIFA's latest rankings, while Argentina are sixth.
"Speaking from the players' point of view, you want to play against the best you can," said Naysmith.
"If you asked any of the lads here they are looking forward to this game. We all want to see the level of top, top teams. It's a great chance for us because, unless you get to the finals of the World Cup, you don't get the opportunity to play against these teams,"
"Unfortunately in recent years we have not managed to reach these finals, so it is a good chance for us to see how we can do against them. People might ask what can you take from a friendly. Well, you are learning from playing against South Americans. They are different technically, and play the game in a different way."
Argentinian legend Maradona will take charge of the international side for the first time tonight. Naysmith is among his huge army of admirers but equally he, and the rest of George Burley's Scotland squad, will be in no mood to turn up as a supporting act. They have to put the hype to one side and impress their own manager with a decent performance.
"Any new manager gives the team a lift, and the players will be wanting to impress him to make sure they are part of his future plans," Naysmith said. "It's going to be a great occasion and the eyes of the world are going to be upon us because of who it is in charge of the Argentina side.
"It's up to us to put on a good performance ourselves, and show everyone what we can do. There's no point in us being there if we are just going to turn up and be part of Diego Maradona's sideshow.
"We have got to play our game and not let ourselves get carried away with all the emotion of Maradona being there."
Despite the credit crunch, more than 30,000 tickets are believed to have already been sold for the match and Naysmith is hoping that even more fans will turn out to ensure a hair-raising welcome for Maradona and company.
"Players are not stupid, we know it is tough times for people in terms of money," he said.
"We realise that in an ideal world it would be a sell-out. But, if you are going to watch a team on a Saturday, then you are asked to fork out for another game on a Wednesday, a lot of people can't afford that at the moment.
"And if they want to take their children along, they maybe can't afford that.
"But hopefully there will be a good crowd and we will give them something to cheer about." Naysmith joined Sheffield United from Premier League side Everton last year and many felt that move may also spell the end of his international career.
However the 30-year-old, who has made 44 appearances for his country – most recently against Norway last month – believes he still has a lengthy Scotland career ahead of him.
He added: "I spoke to Alex McLeish, who was the manager at the time, and he told me it would be better for me to be playing every week rather than playing here and there and then try to play for your country.
"It is a step up mentally. One mistake at this level and you are punished.
"I was probably finding it more difficult when I was at Everton because I wasn't playing every week. I was playing reserve games just to keep up my fitness. When you get to my age, you don't learn anything playing in the reserves, you just do it to keep yourself ticking over. I was happy to do that because I knew I had something to look forward to with the Scotland games.
"But Alex McLeish told me it would be the best thing for me to go to a big club, and Sheffield United are a big club in a league where everyone can beat everyone else."
Naysmith had been linked with a move back to Scotland, with both Rangers and Celtic believed to be interested in bringing him north again. However, Naysmith insisted that he is more than happy to continue playing his football in Sheffield.
"Throughout my time at Everton there was interest from Rangers and Celtic, but I don't know how far it went," he revealed.
"It was something that never really materialised, and it is not something you really think about until someone says they have bid for you.
"It was confidence boosting, but it never happened and I can't tell you how happy I am at Sheffield United, who are a big club and a great club."
The full article contains 1026 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
