vs. Celtic F.C., Vittore Gianni label, stitched Scudetto, and number 13 verso, long sleeved

Note: Believed Giorgio Rognoni's from the 2nd leg tie at Parkhead, 12th March 1969.

Swapped with Bertie Auld; The Bertie Auld Collection.

Giorgio Rognoni was an Italian midfielder who played for a string of clubs during a career that stretched two decades. He would begin with local team Modena in 1964, before playing in the Serie A with A.C. Milan, Foggia, Cesena, and Pistoiese.

It was during his time with the ‘Rossoneri’ he would see most success, representing them between 1967 and 1971. Whilst not a regular starter, he would tally 54 league appearances, featuring in campaigns that saw them lift the Scudetto (1967/68), the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (1967/68), the European Cup (1968/69), and the Intercontinental Cup (1969).

This shirt comes from the team’s 1969 European Cup run. Worn during the quarter-final victory over Jock Stein’s Celtic.

After seeing off Malmö in the first round, Milan got a rare bye into the quarters. This was due to the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia and subsequent fall out between Eastern and Western bloc teams.

The games vs. Celtic weren’t as straightforward. Indeed, manager Nereo Rocco went as far as to proclaim that, if they saw off the Bhoys, victory in the competition would be a formality. The 1st leg was played in Milan, with heavy snowfall making for treacherous playing conditions. Whilst Celtic had built their reputation on playing attacking football and Italian teams on defence, the roles were reversed. Celtic ground out a 0-0 draw, glad to bring the game back to Parkhead.

Before that 2^nd leg, Celtic were dealt a loss when Bobby Lennox was ruled out through an ankle injury. This would prove the first in a series of misfortunes, from a denied penalty claim to a missed Willie Wallace sitter, and most importantly, a rare Billy McNeill error which allowed Pierino Prati to score. This goal proved the difference, the support realising it wasn’t to be their year in Europe, Milan progressing to the semis.

Rocco’s prophesy would eventually ring true, his team going on to defeat Manchester United 2-1 on aggregate, before taking the game to Rinus Michels’ Ajax to win the club’s second ever European Cup.

Rognoni, like Bertie Auld, was a used sub on the night of the Parkhead match. After going on to represent three further teams, his life was cruelly cut short at the age of 39.

Condition Report
Dear Luca,

Many thanks for getting in touch.

The basis of our description took a couple of things into consideration, including notes from the family.
We were unable to say with certainty and hence the description using the word 'believed'.

This said, it is an A.C. Milan shirt from the 1969 quarter finals vs Celtic and is presented with impeccable provenance being from the collection of Celtic Legend Bertie Auld.
We actually sold one of these shirts, from the collection of Auld's teamate Stevie Chalmers, a few years back (link below):
https://www.mctears.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-1904---ac-milan---matchworn-jersey-from-the-european-cup-quarter-final-1969/?lot=157747&so=4&st=a.c.%20milan&sto=0&au=&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=1&pp=96&pn=1&g=1

Whilst we won't modify the description, having only used the term believed, it is entirely possible Nello Santin.

If I can help in any other way, please do let me know.

All the best,
James Bruce