Argentina will not now provide a world-class introduction for the new Scotland manager following a breakdown in negotiations over the proposed March 26 friendly at Hampden Park.

The Herald understands that World XI - the third-party organisation who proposed the fixture - have ended their discussions with David Findlay, the SFA's director of administration, after failure to agree on a suitable date and income guarantees.

Poland are now favourites to visit Hampden, with the SFA mindful of the large influx of workers from Eastern Europe to Scotland.

The SFA were offered £250,000 plus a share of ticket sales by World XI, who in turn would sell on television rights to almost 150 countries worldwide. Those proposals, however, conflicted with the SFA's existing media licensing arrangement with the International Management Group.

In addition, Argentina also command appearance money in the region of £500,000 to provide their A-squad, including Lionel Messi, Juan Roman Riquelme, Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez. World XI became frustrated by the lack of progress following discussions with Findlay and as a result suggested alternative friendly opposition to the Argentine FA.

Scotland will now seek an alternative fixture for the international date and will continue plans to make the first international week available for a squad gathering to familiarise the new manager with his squad.

Poland would be an easily marketable tie, while Nigeria are also under consideration.

A friendly against the latter side would be an intriguing proposition with Nigeria still managed by former Scotland manager Berti Vogts.

The resumption of the Auld Enemy fixture against England also remains on the agenda for May while the World Cup qualifying campaign for South Africa 2010 gets underway in earnest in the autumn.