It’s been some week for Celtic so far, with a last-minute win and a famous result away in Europe.
But the week before, the eyes of the world were on Scotland, who sealed their place at a first World Cup in 28 years in extremely dramatic fashion.
Celtic hero Kieran Tierney scored the decisive goal which put Scotland in front in injury time. Minutes later, Kenny McLean sealed it by lobbing Kasper Schmeichel from the halfway line.
It came just days after Liam Scales and Johnny Kenny also enjoyed a dramatic win, when Ireland kept their qualification hopes alive with an incredible victory in Budapest.
Unlike Ireland, the Tartan Army have already booked their place at the tournament – and they’ve quickly set about getting prepared with a stunning glamour friendly.
Scotland set for glamour friendly in preparation for World Cup
Whilst the March international window will be keeping fans of Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland up at night with the nerve-wracking prospect of play-offs, Scotland fans can rest easy.
Instead of enduring two decisive one-off ties for a place at the tournament, the Tartan Army will be competing against the world champions.
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According to reports in South America via the Daily Record, Tierney and co will be testing themselves against Argentina in March.
It isn’t yet clear if the game will be at Hampden, in Buenos Aires or at a neutral venue.
Argentina trained at Celtic Park in 2008, the last time they faced Scotland. Diego Maradona was famously pictured with a Celtic shirt that day.
It’s the second time that Argentina will face the Scots as world champions, after they came to Hampden a year after their 1978 triumph.
Lionel Messi has played in Glasgow plenty of times already, and of course, scored in the Hoops’ unforgettable defeat of Barcelona in 2012.
The tie will, of course, be immensely difficult for Steve Clarke’s men. Argentina are a formidable force under Lionel Scaloni, and topped the South American qualifying league by a margin of nine points.
It will also be an opportunity for Tierney to reunite with Emiliano Martinez, a close friend from his time at Arsenal.
Celtic players in the Scotland frame
Anthony Ralston was the other Celtic player in the Scotland squad that sealed their place at the tournament.
There has been debate over whether Callum McGregor should renounce his retirement from the international stage ahead of the tournament – but until this point, no inclination that he is considering this.
Ben Gannon-Doak, Ryan Christie and Jack Hendry are among the ex-Celtic players likely to be on the plane to North America next summer.
And if he can keep up performances like his one on Thursday, don’t rule out Colby Donovan being in the running for a senior international call-up.
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