NEWS of the passing of legend, Alfredo di Stefano, at the age of 88 after a heart attack has hit everyone who loves the game hard.

Bertie Auld - sent off for a punch up in the Real Madrid icon's testimonial 47 years ago - is no exception.

The Lisbon Lion regarded Di Stefano simply as the finest talent the world has ever known, and a marvellous character and true gentleman, into the bargain.

Auld was in awe of the Argentinian-born striker, who went on to represent the country of his birth, Colombia, and his adopted homeland, Spain.

But, it was Di Stefano's exploits in the shiny all-white strip of Real Madrid that made their greatest impression on Auld.

Now, as Spain and Argentina unite in grief to mourn the death of the great man, Auld is also to be found deep in his thoughts, recounting his two hugely contrasting meetings with his hero.

The first encounter came on June 7, 1967, a few weeks after the Hoops had won the European Cup by defeating Inter Milan in the final in Lisbon.

Jock Stein's side were invited to provide the opposition to Madrid in Di Stefano's testimonial at the Bernabeu Stadium.

In front of 130,000 fans, the Hoops won 1-0, but Auld recalled: "They were not too respectful of us, claiming in the Spanish press that we had only been given a loan of their trophy."

The fact Real Madrid had won it five years in a row, from 1956 on - with Di Stefano scoring in each of the finals - could be offered in mitigation for these remarks.

But, Auld recalls Di Stefano had nothing but praise for what Celtic had achieved, and the way they brought attacking football to the fore.

In particular, Jimmy Johnstone, captured the heart of the man twice named European Footballer of the Year.

It was a mutual admiration and friendship which was to endure until Jinky lost his battle with Motor Neurone Disease in 2006.

So much so that, a short time before he was no longer fit to get around, Jinky received an invitation to travel to Madrid to meet up with his old pal one last time.

"Jinky was delighted to have this opportunity, but wanted me to go with him," revealed Auld.

"I was very happy to agree, not least because, for me, Alfredo was the world's No.1 striker.

"He was different from most others in the way he played, becoming one of the first attackers to drop back off defenders, then taking the ball and running at them.

"There has never been any substitute for ability, and Alfredo had that in abundance.

"But, he also played the game with a smile on his face, and he wanted everyone else to enjoy themselves, too.

"So, I was excited when we flew out to Spain to meet him, and the TV crew who were there to film the reunion.

"We were actually sitting at the top of a staircase in the Bernabeu when we saw this wee old man in a bunnet and walking with a stick coming towards us.

"When he took his hat off, we saw it was Alfredo. Jinky and him grabbed one another in a really emotional embrace, and they stood like that for about five minutes.

"The love and admiration they had for one another was so clear, and I felt privileged to be there to witness it.

"That moment will live with me forever. Now both of these special people have gone, and all I can say is the big man upstairs must be close to completing a very special football team."

Di Stefano began a career which spanned 21 years back in Argentina with River Plate before heading to Millonarios in Columbia then on to Real Madrid and Espanyol.

Had Jimmy McGrory been successful in 1964, he would have added Celtic Park to his list of places of employment.

But it was not to be, leaving Auld to contemplate just what it would have been like to line up alongside his idol.

Di Stefano had already made his mark in Glasgow, helping Madrid defeat Frankfurt Eintracht 7-3 in the 1960 European Cup final - the greatest game Hampden, and maybe any other stadium, has ever staged.

Di Stefano scored three of the goals that night, Ferenc Puskas got Madrid's other four, though Auld recounted how he had to keep up to date with what was happening back home as the Hoops made their way to Ireland for an end-of-season friendly.

"The former chairman, Bob Kelly, actually turned to us when he heard Frankfurt had opened the scoring and said: 'Don't be surprised if the Germans win this.' How wrong can you be?

"I would have loved to have been there. But I have watched the final - and Alfredo's performance, in particular - many, many times since then.

"The way he played that night, and the way Jinky performed in his testimonial in the Bernabeu, were two of the greatest displays of attacking football.

"I believe the way they wanted to play the game was why they had so much respect for one another.

"They wanted to win, but they also wanted to entertain, appreciating fans had worked heard to earn the money to watch them.

"Alfredo played for as long as he did not for the money, but for the love of the game.

"In fact, I'm sure that, if he was to have walked along Panmure Street in Maryhill and spotted a game going on, he would have rolled up his sleeves and joined in.

"He had presence and personality. He was not just a superb footballer, but a superb man. That's a rare combination, and it's what makes his passing so sad for all of us."