Burley - forget 'Hand of God'

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Last updated: 19th November 2008

Diego Maradona and Terry Butcher

Maradona: Praise from Burley

Maradona is the best player I have ever played against and anyone who was involved at Hampden in 1979 when he played against Scotland in a friendly at Hampden would agree with that.

George Burley
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Scotland manager George Burley believes Terry Butcher must "move on" and forget Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal.

Burley's assistant was in the England side knocked out of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico by Argentina.

Maradona infamously scored with his hand to give Argentina the lead before producing a wonderful solo goal which ultimately took the South Americans into the semi-finals.

Butcher suggested he will not shake Maradona's hand when the new Argentina coach brings his side to Hampden for Wednesday's friendly.

The former Napoli and Barcelona superstar hit back by claiming he should not be judged by a nation that needed a dubious goal to win the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley.

Burley jokingly chided Butcher while admitting he has his own recollections of the Argentina legend.

He said: "He (Butcher) is a big boy now and he has to grow up and move on!

"I can't remember celebrating in 1986. My recollections are of Maradona the player, not the handball merchant.

"I can't talk about the other stuff, only my thoughts, and playing against him was a terrific experience.

Magnificent

"Maradona is the best player I have ever played against and anyone who was involved at Hampden in 1979 when he played against Scotland in a friendly at Hampden would agree with that.

"In my opinion, he was only behind Pele as the best-ever player. He was a magnificent footballer."

Scotland skipper Barry Ferguson, who should make his first appearance under Burley after recovering from a summer ankle operation, admits he did celebrate England's defeat by Argentina in 1986.

He said: "I watched the game in the house with my dad and I remember jumping about daft.

"The second goal was one of the best goals I've seen. That's the biggest thing - he was unbelievable in that tournament.

"You never think you're going to meet the guy. I'll be standing pretty close to him and it will be a good feeling.

"He's probably the best player ever. People talk about Pele but I'm not old enough to remember him.

"Now Lionel Messi is as close as you can get. It's disappointing that he's not going to be here but obviously I played against Messi when we (Rangers) played Barcelona and he was something special.

"But as soon as the whistle goes you don't care who they are. All the respect goes out the window along with everything they've done in the game."

Comments

Johnny Brown (Kilmarnock fan) says...

The one thing about Scots fans and our team is that we are famous for our excellent sportsmanship the world over.Terry Butcher has brought his English arrogant mentality with him to a set up he should never have been allowed to be part of in the first place . If as a representative of Scotland he can't shake hands with Maradona then he should go now as I have never seen what qualities this failed many times coach has to offer our national team anyway.

Posted 12:46 19th November 2008

Ben S (Arsenal fan) says...

We all know what the score should have been at the end of the game (1-1) but who knows what would have happened with extra-time or even penalties!!? Best to just let it go, move on and maybe one day we will beat them 2-1 in the quater finals!

Posted 12:34 19th November 2008

Tony Cowan (Liverpool fan) says...

England is the only country in the world that still talks about Maradona's hand ball in '86. It was a QUARTER FINAL guys - get over it. Even if that goal was dis-allowed, Argentina would have still won with Diego in their side. Move on guys - you look ridiculous for trying to smear a footballing god after all this time.

Posted 10:19 19th November 2008

Diego Aguero (Liverpool fan) says...

I think that Terry Butcher should just move on about what Maradona done for my country back then in 1986 that was then and we are now 2008 so i just say move on! Argentina 4 life!

Posted 09:53 19th November 2008

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