IF the date itself, April 19, 1972, would mean little even to football anoraks - and there are more than a few around - the events of that night were such that, but for a missed penalty, it would surely have been the most momentous in Scottish football. Even as it stands, the evening that 75,000 people saw Celtic play Inter Milan and, about five miles across the city, 80,000 turned out to see Rangers play Bayern Munich in European semi-finals remains unique in European history.

It would have been more memorable, of course, had both teams gone through to the finals, Celtic in the Champions Cup and Rangers in the Cup-winners' Cup, but a missed penalty by Dixie Deans in the shoot-out after extra time allowed the Italians to slip out of Parkhead and into the final.

Rangers, on the other hand, not only overcame Bayern but went on to win the final in Barcelona.

To the thirtysomething generation of today, this will seem as realistic as Star Trek, yet, while it is true then that the entire city and, indeed, large swathes of the country, were at fever pitch on that night, the fans of the day had become well used to seeing their sides flourish among the stars of the European firmament.

After all, it was only five years earlier that the same teams had been in European finals, Celtic beating Inter Milan in the Champions Cup and Rangers losing in the Cup-winners' Cup final to Bayern Munich.

As well as the coincidence that they met the same teams again in 1972, when the results were reversed, it also illustrates how comfortable the Old Firm felt among such company.

On the eve of their first appearance together in the Champions League proper, it might be tempting to wonder whatever happened to the good times, but attempting to unravel such mysteries can lead to premature senility.

Instead, let us revel in the reminiscences of 29 years ago. It will never be repeated, of course, because police and football authorities would

suffer severe apoplexy at the prospect of both teams in major competition in front of 175,000 in Glasgow on the same night. That is progress.

The facts of the games are simple enough. Rangers, having done tremendously well to draw 1-1 in the Olympic Stadium, a performance regarded at the time by many as one of their finest in Europe, took the initiative in impressive style, when Sandy Jardine scored the opening goal inside a minute. That put his team en route to the final, especially with an away goal as back-up, and when Derek Parlane, making his European debut, scored a second midway through the half, there was no way back for the Germans.

Parlane had replaced the injured team captain and inspirational John Greig at right half, as they called it then, and according to reports had the ''game of his life''. Derek went on to become a fine centre forward (or striker if you wish) for the club. He didn't do well enough that night, however, to earn a place in the final. Greig had to come back, of course, and the team lifted the trophy.

Greig recalls the occasion, one of the few he watched from the dugout. ''I had an ankle injury and Big Jock [Wallace]

told me at Troon, where we were preparing for the game, to paddle in the sea. I did and I missed the game because of pneumonia. Actually, it turned out I had a stress fracture so I doubt if the sea water would have done much good.

''When you look back at that night, what a tribute it was to the Glasgow police and the corporation. To organise two games like that, with those crowds, was fantastic. It wouldn't be done today.

''I can remember going home and watching the Celtic highlights on the telly. It was a night and a half.''

With Tommy McLean, who played that night, jogging his memory as they enjoyed some banter at Murray Park, Greig recalled the Jardine goal. ''That was why it is easy to remember . . . it was with his left foot . . . and we thought it was meant to be a cross, anyway. It was the perfect start after the first leg draw. The great thing about that team was the togetherness; the camaraderie was tremendous.''

Jardine tells a different tale. ''It was a rocket into the top corner.'' he argued. ''After Derek's goal, surprisingly, they fell to pieces. And that team was at the beginning of the rise of Bayern to great things.

''Celtic's meeting with the Italians was much more dramatic. They had also put up a superb show to draw 0-0 in the San Siro in Milan but despite constant pressure, especially in extra time, the teams finished without a goal between them.

The drama that followed remains painful for Celtic

supporters.

Every penalty of the shoot-out was scored bar one, the effort skied over the bar by the man who scored so many goals for the club, Dixie Deans.

The scorers of Celtic's penalties were Jim Craig, Jimmy Johnstone, Paddy McCluskey, and Bobby Murdoch.

Thus Celtic went out 5-4, a galling end to a season during which they won the league by 10 points, as well as the Scottish Cup. Firhill supporters, though, will quickly remind you that Celtic were well trounced in the final of the League Cup.

The Stein era was very much at its peak but the quality of Scottish football then is emphasised by just how good a team Rangers were, yet they would not win the title for a further three years.

It would be nice to think that this kind of achievement could be repeated but times and teams have changed a great deal.

European Cup

CELTIC Williams; Craig, McCluskey; Murdoch, McNeill, Connelly; Johnstone, Dalglish, (Deans), Macari, Callaghan, Lennox

INTER MILAN Vieri; Bellugi, Fachetti; Oriali, Guibertini, Burgnich; Jair, Bedin, Bertini, Mazzola, Frustalupi.

Referee

R Glockner (East Germany)

Attendance 75,000.

Cup-Winners' Cup

Rangers McCloy: Jardine, Mathieson: Parlane, Jackson, Smith; McLean, Johnstone, Stein, MacDonald, Johnston

BAYERN MUNICH Maier; Hansen, Breitner; Schwarzenbeck, Beckenbauer, Roth; Schneider, Zobell, Muller, Hoeness, Koppenhoffer

Referee

F Franceson (Italy)

Attendance 80,000