All eyes on Beckham at Ibrox tonight but Milan arrive with superstar cast

Published on Tuesday 3 February 2009 23:04

LIKE tonight's opponents Rangers, AC Milan cannot be blamed for obsessing about a top-of-the-league derby meeting the weekend after next. The fact that Carlo Ancelotti's glittering side do not land in Glasgow until today – the day of their friendly meeting with the Ibrox side – suggests that the Rossoneri have other things on their mind than a trip to Govan in the midst of a freezing Scottish winter.

Milan will, understandably, be more exhilarated by the thought of a meeting with Inter on 15 February, as they seek to claw back a six-point gap between them and their city rivals at the top of Serie A. Rangers have similar intentions when it comes to overhauling Celtic, and have the opportunity to do so when visiting Parkhead on the same day. A win in the latest Old Firm derby will mean they usurp their rivals at the top of the league. Italy and Scotland will shake with the significance of these respective matches taking place in their football heartlands.

But, while engrossing, the high-octane clashes will not necessarily be enjoyable occasions for either those involved or just watching in the stands. Tonight should see players released from the normal anxieties of competitive football live up to their reputations – and what reputations they are. Leading the procession of world stars in the Milan side is David Beckham, who is set to make his first appearance in Scotland since helping England win at Hampden in the first leg of the European Championship play-off tie in November 1999. The midfielder has played at Ibrox before, but not since a friendly for Manchester United in 1994 which was distinguished by Eric Cantona's red card after a lunging challenge on Steven Pressley.

"It's great for me personally going back to Scotland. I haven't been there since England beat them 2-0," he reflected. "It's great for the fans to see so many great players; we have got so many great players: Kaka, Clarence Seedorf, Alexandre Pato, Paolo Maldini, Ronaldinho. I know how passionate Scottish people are about football and about their team, so I know it's going to be a great atmosphere."

Beckham, who has scored twice in five matches for AC Milan since joining on loan from LA Galaxy, will be the centre of attention. Speculation is rife that Milan will extend his three-month loan period when it runs out on 8 March.

"I think he does (want to stay], but I can only speak of what the club wants to do and Milan will do everything possible to have Beckham after March," AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said this week. Beckham has been included in Milan's 25-man list for the Uefa Cup, even though he is currently only eligible for their two legs against Werder Bremen on 18 and 26 February.

"(Beckham's marketing appeal] exists and we understand it following the many requests we have received to play friendly games, but it is not only his presence which attracts other clubs," Galliani said. "We have a group of stars."

Maldini perhaps deserves to be the one honoured by the Ibrox crowd. The Italian has played in Serie A since the late Eighties, and has amassed over 1,000 appearances for both Milan and Italy. There is no space to list all he has won in that time, but the roll of honour includes seven Serie A titles and five European Cups.

He last played for the Italian international team in 2002 but has been the subject of repeated calls to make a return. The defender, now 40, resisted offers to add to his 126 appearances at the 2004 European Championship and 2006 World Cup but reports had intimated that Italy's friendly with Brazil next week at the Emirates Stadium in London could also function as an official international swansong for Maldini. Italy manager Marcello Lippi, however, is unsure about the merits of this, so Maldini could be making his last appearance on British soil this evening.

"I respect Maldini greatly and he is a great player and a great professional," said Lippi. "He is one of the greatest players that I have ever seen and I have spoken with him over his decision to leave the national squad. He told me he was no longer interested in playing for the national team, but I believe an initiative of this nature is possible."

The knowledgeable Ibrox crowd will be sure to show their appreciation for a genuine legend of the game. And then there is Kaka, who, in a parallel universe, is currently preparing with Manchester City for a relegation clash with Middlesbrough this weekend.

Having resisted the 100m advances of the cash-rich English Premier League club, Kaka resumes his Milan career in Scotland this evening before helping his team-mates challenge Inter for the Serie A title. Scottish football fans can again judge whether he has been worth all the fuss tonight.