Extremely rare Celtic item from European Cup triumph goes up for sale

By Euan Davidson

March 9, 2022

Even the most avid of football jersey collectors, especially Celtic-minded ones, wouldn’t dream of being able to find a genuine, match-worn 1967 European Cup Final shirt.

However, fans with deep pockets and patience at the auction house will finally get an opportunity. Bertie Auld’s 1967 jersey is going up for sale.

Owned by Inter Milan legend Armando Picchi, the shirt is the only one that’s been officially authenticated as a genuine, real-deal Lisbon Lion jersey. Of course, the dearly departed Celtic icon Auld and Picchi swapped shirts after that famous European Cup final in Lisbon.

And, luckily enough, it’s coming to an auction house in Glasgow. According to the Daily Mail [print edition, 09/03 p. 79], Great Western Auctions will sell it off as part of ‘The Spring Winter Fine Art & Antiques sale’ later on this month.

Auctioneers estimate the shirt could fetch between £15,000 and £20,000. However, with the poignancy of Bertie Auld’s passing in November, it would be no surprise if it fetched even more than that.

Picchi, who swapped shirts with Auld, died in 1971. Aged just 35, Picchi should’ve had a long career in management ahead of him, an utter legend of Italian defending and a captain of a phenomenal Inter Milan side in the 60s. Sadly, his death from cancer prevented what could’ve been a lasting legacy as a coach.

Bona fide one-of-a-kind Celtic European Cup shirt up for sale

No doubt, there isn’t a Celtic fan on this planet who wouldn’t want this one-of-a-kind item of European Cup memorabilia.

If you’re like me, you’re wondering where it’d look best in your gaff right now. Unfortunately, having a spare £20k kicking about is not the reality.

It’s a shame Bertie Auld was never reunited with his shirt from that iconic European Cup Final. Of course, he was the one that gave it away in the first place. But I wonder if he’d ever been to Italy to see it again.

For Auld, of course, the European Cup Final in ’67 was a defining career moment, with stories that he used to entertain fans right up to the end. He’s sadly, sadly missed by the Hoops faithful worldwide.

As for Armando Picchi and his family, it’ll surely be hard letting go of this shirt. Granted, Picchi won two European Cups himself, and has the Livorno stadium named after him. But it’s a unique part of his surely expansive football collection from a glorious time in Italian football.

It’ll be fascinating to see how much this goes for, and who it’s bought by.

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