Celtic star Alexandro Bernabei got caught up in a bizarre international row over the FALKLANDS after scoring the first goal for Hoops

CELTIC star Alexandro Bernabei has unknowingly been embroiled in a bizarre international row between an Argentine government minister and a British diplomat over the Falkland Islands.

The full-back became the first Argentine to score for Celtic when he scored a stunning strike for the Hoops in injury time at Ross County in a 2-0 win.

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The news made headlines in the South American country, with widespread praise for the 22-year-old, who signed a £3.75million move from Lanus last year.

He was hailed by Argentine Government Minister Guillermo Carmona, Secretary for Malvinas Affairs at Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 1982 Argentina invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands – Islas Malvinas in Spanish – and the UK installed a naval task force under then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher which eventually secured victory after 74 days.

However, last month Argentina withdrew from a deal with Britain over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and called for new talks as tensions escalated.

Argentina Minister Carmona took to social media to praise Bernabei’s goal and was particularly impressed when Celtic fans chanted ‘Argentina’ after the goal.

He explained: “What an emotion I feel when I hear ‘Argentina, Argentina’ sung by fans in Scotland. Our compatriot Alexandro Bernabei, a Celtic player, made it possible with a magnificent goal.

“And what else is there to say on an occasion like this, other than that the Falkland Islands are Argentine.”

However, this prompted an outraged reaction from Mark Kent, who was Britain’s Ambassador to Argentina until last year, who warned him: “Don’t mix sport with politics. In the UK and Scotland we love the Argentine players and we show our appreciation. We honor Falkland veterans on both sides. You are a shameless populist politician.”

But that led to an angry response from the Argentine government official, who replied: “If your country respects international law, sits at the negotiating table to comply with UN resolutions and ends the shame of colonialism, I might even consider your sports advice.”

“If you think I’m a ‘populist politician’ because I associate football with the Malvinas, know this – the absolute majority of Argentines do.”

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