Diego Maradona expects his make his debut as Argentina coach in a friendly against Scotland on November 19th and Scotland manager George Burley believes his influence will ensure the game is a "cracker".

"We are going to play the game against Scotland with the best team we've got," Maradona, celebrating his 48th birthday, told reporters in front of his house on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.

"I scored a goal there, on a tour with Menotti," he added, referring to his first goal for Argentina which he scored in a 3-1 friendly win over Scotland in 1979 under Cesar Luis Menotti.

Maradona, whose appointment has yet to be officially confirmed by the Argentina Football Association, said he was delighted to be given the chance of coaching his country.

"I really never expected this although I always dreamed of having the chance," he said.

Burley remembers vividly Maradona's last visit to Mount Florida as the then teenager gave the full-back the runaround in a dazzling display, scoring his first international goal in a 3-1 win for the South Americans.

And he believes even supremely talented Argentina players such as Carlos Tevez and Juan Riquelme will raise their game as they bid to impress their new boss.

"He is going to be a big influence," Burley said. "I'm sure all the players will want to play well in front of him.

"It promises to be a cracking game - it's fantastic for us to pit our wits against a top team.

"When Scotland played Argentina in 1979, it's always a game I remember for the fantastic players they had.

"And, of course, somebody like Maradona, who I still think was the best player I ever played against.

"We were fortunate to get the game - they will have some terrific players."