SCOTLAND’S FIRST Minister was presented with a shirt signed by the FC Barcelona players when he welcomed them to the country in St Andrews yesterday.

Alex Salmond watched the players—including Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry—train at St Andrews University’s Carnegie playing field before shaking hands with them and manager Frank Rijkaard.

The 2006 UEFA Champions League-winners arrived on Monday for a pre-season training camp in the Fife town and will play Dundee United tomorrow and Hearts on Saturday.

Mr Salmond was presented with the shirt by Barcelona director Josep Cubells and the SNP leader said, “It’s terrific for Scottish football to start the season with a team of the stature of Barcelona.

“I’m delighted to give them an official welcome to Scotland.”

He also said the players were enjoying being in St Andrews and had found the facilities at St Andrews University excellent. But he said although some of the Catalan visitors loved golf, they would be concentrating on football during their stay.

A well-known Hearts fan, Mr Salmond said he would be unable to attend the matches because of commitments in the House of Commons, but would much rather be at Tannadice or Murrayfield.

He joked that he had had a word in Rijkaard’s ear on behalf of Hearts. He said, “Dundee United have already wiped the floor with Barcelona a number of times.

“I spoke to Frank Rijkaard and put in a special plea in about Hearts. Who knows what the score will be on Saturday?”

He added, “There are two golfers in the team. By the time they try out the Old Course they won’t be fit for Saturday.”

The side, including Portugal international Deco and French international Eric Abidal, are staying in the Old Course Hotel.

Fans have been congregating in St Leonard’s Road, at the edge of the playing field, during daily training sessions, which began on Monday evening.