Butcher will 'never forgive' Maradona
Butcher insists he is solely focused on Scotland getting a good result on Wednesday night
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Monday, 17, Nov 2008 10:28
As Scotland prepare to take on Argentina in Diego Maradona's first match in charge, assistant manager Terry Butcher has admitted he will never forgive the Argentine legend for his 'Hand of God' goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico.
Butcher was part of the England side that day and will come face-to-face with Maradona once again on Wednesday night in his capacity as George Burley's assistant, but revealed that he hasn't yet forgiven or forgotten the incident.
"No, I'll never forgive him," said Butcher. "It's not nice when you lose a World Cup quarter-final under those circumstances.
"I was selected for the drugs test with Gary Stevens and Kenny Sansom and ended up in the room with Maradona and two of his pals. Our World Cup was over and they were celebrating.
"It could have been a war-zone in there but it wasn't. I wasn't next to him, if I was I might have done something.
"It's very hard to forgive and forget in the circumstances."
Despite his bitterness, Butcher admits that all his focus is on Scotland getting a good result at Hampden Park on Wednesday night.
"It's not about me," Butcher said. "It's all about Scotland and playing against one of the best teams in the world."
Scotland's cause hasn't been helped by the withdrawal of West Brom winger James Morrison and Cardiff City striker Ross McCormack through injury.
Burley has called up Aberdeen's Lee Miller and Dundee United's Scott Robertson as replacements.