Jinky wowed the Bernabeu and Bobby Lennox also caught the eye…
57 years ago this very day the legendary Lisbon Lions took on the mighty Real Madrid in a testimonial game in honour of the great Alfredo Di Stefano.
It might have been seen by some as a friendly with nothing at stake, but Jock Stein didn’t see it that way and sent his team out to win the game in the same manner that seen them crowned European champions just two weeks earlier.
The powerhouse in European football
Real Madrid as they are today were seen as the powerhouse in European football, and understandably so as they had won the competition six times in the 12 years previously.
After tearing Real Madrid apart, Jinky got a taxi to Benidorm.☘️☘️☘️ pic.twitter.com/wPLdbrHfvi
— Willie Collow (@CollowWillie) June 7, 2024
The Spanish giants were determined to prove that they were still the undisputed kings of the continent by beating the current European champions. While we were determined to show the world that our win in Lisbon was not a fluke, and that we were indeed worthy Champions of Europe.
Bobby Lennox scored
In the end Celtic showed their class in front of a massive 120,000 crowd who packed into the famous old stadium, and deservedly won the game courtesy of a Bobby Lennox strike with 20 minutes remaining.
Bertie Auld was sent off with Real’s Amancio for a punch up as tempers flared, proving this was anything but a ‘friendly’ game.
Shouts of ‘ole, ole’ were loudly heard
The game though is probably best remembered for Jimmy Johnstone wowing the Bernabeau crowd with his array of skills. Shouts of ‘ole, ole’ were loudly heard every time wee Jinky went on one of those famous mazy runs of his.
After tearing Real Madrid apart, Jinky got a taxi to Benidorm.☘️☘️☘️ pic.twitter.com/wPLdbrHfvi
— Willie Collow (@CollowWillie) June 7, 2024
Ability that saw him crowned as the Greatest Ever Player in the history of Celtic Football Club. Now the Spanish supporters were getting treated to some of that skill in the flesh, and oh how they appreciated it.
But the man who made an everlasting impression on the great Alfredo Di Stefano that night was none other than Bobby Lennox.
Di Stefano in later years commented:
“But the Scotsman who gave me the most trouble was Bobby Lennox. My testimonial at the Bernabeau was against Celtic, as of course they were the champions of Europe in 1967, and although I remember the Bernabeau rising to Jimmy Johnstone, I admired Lennox greatly.”
Jinky did indeed steal the show, but Bobby proved to be the star man in the eyes of one of football’s greatest ever talents.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
It’s a pity my club never thought of putting on a display on this day of all days.
The silver cigarette box that Celtic presented to Di Stefano, the medal & watch that Real Madrid presented to the players would have looked good alongside the Match-Shirt you have from that game. pic.twitter.com/a9C9U7frFu
— jamief (@jamiebhoy2009) June 7, 2024
And the trophy still sits proudly in the cabinet, today. 🍀 https://t.co/5McFDBXjas pic.twitter.com/kzkjq1l4sy
— Davie McLaughlin (@McLaughlin_1888) June 7, 2024
An invitation to the Alfredo Di Stefano banquet that we never knew existed, signed by 13 players including the great man himself. To have Di Stefano’s autograph alongside the Lisbon Lions who played in his benefit match is unbelievable to a collector like myself. A museum piece. https://t.co/HhvLyiS4cH pic.twitter.com/U2GXzbuoqP
— jamief (@jamiebhoy2009) June 7, 2024
