Papa slots neatly into Maradona's Argentina team

By Rex Gowar

GLASGOW (Reuters) - Emiliano Papa enjoyed a double celebration on Wednesday, making his Argentina debut on the same night that Diego Maradona took charge of the national team for the first time in a 1-0 win over Scotland.

While Maradona was making his international coaching bow, Papa, a left back for Velez Sarsfield, was the sole new player and the only home-based one in the side.

The 26-year-old is no greenhorn, however, with several years of experience in Argentina's first division playing for Rosario Central and Velez.

"To be here in the squad for the first time and that the coach should be the national team's best ever player are things you'll never forget," he told Reuters on Thursday.

Papa gave a mature performance against Scotland on the left of a defence made up of Javier Zanetti, winning his 128th cap on the right, and Martin Demichelis and Gabriel Heinze in the middle.

"I felt on a par with the team, good and with confidence. I liked how the team played," he said.

Papa expects Maradona to be a success.

"With the quality of players he has, he can manage any playing system," he said.