Barcelona are set to return to Scottish shores following on from their pre-season preparations in the country in 2008.

On that visit they based themselves at St Andrews, before playing friendly matches against Hibernian and Dundee United. It seems they enjoyed the Scottish hospitality so much that they returned this year, but to the west coast.

Luis Enrique’s side will be based at Cameron House and will use Dumbarton Football Club’s stadium for training before taking part in friendly matches. Talks to arrange games against Rangers and Celtic are at an advanced stage although nothing has been finalised as we go to print.

So why choose Arthurlie? The News caught up with Tonto de Abril, secretary of the Associated Professional Registered Internationally Licensed Federations of Organised Leagues, who was in Scotland last week to look over the Barrhead side’s facilities ahead of this summer’s glamour tie.

He said: “Our organisation’s aim is to promote football at every level and give as many people the chance to see the world’s best players.

“Every season Barcelona play a match against a semi-professional side to build up their fitness. I was asked to find such a club in Scotland and realised the closest town alphabetically to Barcelona was Barrhead, which is home to Arthurlie.

“Arthurlie incidentally sported the famous Barca strip as their away kit last season so that swayed our decision.” A shell-shocked David Blakey, Arthurlie president, was still lost for words. He said: “I really can’t believe that one of the most famous football clubs in the world will play at Dunterlie Park. This is like a dream to me and I just hope I don’t wake up soon and find out it actually is a dream. This is a huge thing not just for Arthurlie but Barrhead and East Renfrewshire as a whole.” Andrew Pollock, club secretary, added: “Just think, in just over three months time we will see Muir against Messi, Stewart v Suarez, Alves v Dallas. It’s just unbelievable.

“I also think that Barcelona requesting to play against us shows the standing that Arthurlie Football Club are held in not just in Scotland but world wide.” Details of ticket arrangements will be announced nearer the time of the game as will several other events to coincide with the match.

It has also been rumoured that after the match the entire Barcelona squad will return to the Arthurlie Social Club where they will do a signing session for supporters and also pose for photographs.