“We are a similar size of city, and a similar size of club, and for both teams this is a great experience,” he said.

“We are very happy to be here and we are looking forward very much to playing football against Dundee.”

Included in the squad was Australian goalkeeper Zelko Kalak, who has at least been to a game in Scotland before.

“I was on the bench earlier this year when Australia beat you Scots at Hampden, so that’s a happy memory.

“It is much colder here than in Italy though,” said the giant stopper.

Not in the party was Libyan leader Colonel Gadaffi’s son al-Saad Gadaffi.

He travels by private jet and may fly into Scotland later, though that has not been decided for definite and he will not play in part in the game.