Cristiano Ronaldo: Hundreds gather at SPFL ground as Portugal superstar causes a stir

Crowds flock for glimpse of icon

Cristiano Ronaldo caused a stir in Paisley as one of the greatest footballers of all-time made an appearance at the home of St Mirren.

The Portugal superstar took part in a training session with his international teammates at the SMiSA Stadium ahead of their Nations League match against Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday.

Portugal used St Mirren’s ground for their pre-match preparations instead of the national stadium as head coach Roberto Martinez knows Saints’ chief executive Keith Lasley from their time together as Motherwell players in the 2001-02 season.

Hundreds of people descended on the ground to catch a glimpse of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and Ronaldo did not disappoint as he posed for photographs and signed autographs.

The Al-Nassr forward scored his 133rd international goal in Saturday evening’s 3-1 Nations League win over Poland in Warsaw – a match in which he played just over an hour.

Despite Ronaldo being less than four months shy of his 40th birthday, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez is comfortable with unleashing him for what will be the first Hampden outing of his distinguished career.

“I think the age of a player doesn’t come into play,” saids Martinez. “Ronaldo doesn’t work as a 39-year-old player. He doesn’t play certainly as a 39-year-old player. I think we are assessing every player and how they feel. Cristiano has been working really well in this camp.

“I have no doubt that Cristiano after 60 minutes (on Saturday) can be involved in the second game. I don’t know if he can start or if he can finish the game, but he can certainly be involved as he showed in the last camp (when starting the first game and then coming on in the second).”

Here are the best pictures of Cristiano Ronaldo at St Mirren...