ALFREDO Di STEFANO insisted newly-crowned European champions Celtic provided the opposition for his testimonial game on June 7 – just 13 days after Jock Stein’s side’s historic 2-1 win victory over Inter Milan.
The Real Madrid great was one of football’s first superstars of the Spanish club that had dominated Europe for five successive seasons since its inception in 1955.
Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell, whose famous pulverising drive brought the Hoops’ equaliser against the Italians before Stevie Chalmers claimed the winner, recalled his first meeting with Di Stefano in his autobiography ‘All The Best,’ co-written by his long-time friend and Celtic book author Alex Gordon.
The flamboyant full-back said: “Never in my wildest dreams could I ever have thought I would meet up with this icon. Of course, that’s what happened when he asked Celtic to provide the opposition in his Testimonial Match at a sold-out Bernabeu Stadium.
“He met us at the airport and had his photograph taken with us. His English wasn’t very good, but he got the message across that he was happy Celtic had won the European.
“‘Very good,’ he said. ‘Yes, very good for football.’
“He was 44-years-old at the time, but insisted in kicking off on his big night. He was on the park for about 15 minutes before going off to a deserved standing ovation. I joined in and then Jimmy Johnstone took centre stage.
“The Wee Man put on the performance of a lifetime and I can assure you this was no friendly after Alfredo bade his farewell.
A HERO’S WELCOME…Alfredo di Stefano is pictured between Bobby Lennox and David Cattenach at Madrid Airport as Celtic arrive for his Testimonial Match. Willie O’Neill, Tommy Gemmell and Billy McNeill are also greeted by the Real Madrid great.
LEGENDS TOGETHER…Billy McNeill and Alfredo di Stefano exchange pennants before kick-off.
“Real Madrid wanted to show the Scottish upstarts who were the genuine European champions and they came at us with a verve and gusto. My mate Bertie Auld and his opposite number Amancio emphasised the combative nature of the game by doing their best to knock each other out and being sent off in the process!
“I wondered what the great Alfredo, who was by then sitting in the presidential area of the directors’ box, made of that.
“There was hardly a sound in the ground, not that easy when there’s 135,000 in attendance, when Bobby Lennox scored the game’s only goal after some marvellous leading up play by Jinky.
“The game had been put together in a bit of a rush after our European Cup success. I think Real were waiting to see who won in Lisbon before putting out their invitation. So, our fans wouldn’t have had the time to get the money together or make travel arrangements to get to Madrid for the match.
THE OLE GRAIL…Bobby Lennox fires in the only goal of the game.
“There was hardly a Scot in the stadium. However, when Bobby’s shot struck the net to be greeted with stupor from the home fans, suddenly there was a solitary shout of ‘G-O-A-L!‘.
“It was unmistakeably Glaswegian.”
The famous old clubs go toe to toe again in the same venue tomorrow night when Ange Postecoglou’s men bring down the curtain on their European adventure with a clash against the reigning European champions.
Let’s hope the Celtic fans get the opportunity to celebrate another matchwinner.
