H McCreadie 55
Barker 65
J McPherson 68
Maley 75
Match Information
Manager: No Permanent Manager
Attendance: 17,000
Referee: John Marshall (Third Lanark)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The final tie for the Scottish Cup was played on Saturday afternoon between the Rangers and the Celtic. The weather unfortunately, was miserable, rain falling all forenoon and even up to the time the match commences. Under the circumstances, there was a large attendance, some 17,000 persons putting in an appearance. The ground was very spongy on account of the heavy rains, but everything was done by Queen’s Park committee in attending to the drainage and sprinkling the field was hayseed to make it as playable as possible.Amidst drizzling rain Cassidy kicked off for the Celtic, the Rangers having won the toss. Fortunately there was very little wind, and the advantage gained by the Rangers did not come to much. The Rangers led the attack in splendid style. They came away in a body, Reynolds missing the ball, but Doyle came to the rescue and returned nicely. Again however, the Rangers came away on the right and a grand long shot by A McCreadie was landed in the mouth of the Celtic goal, when Cullen fisted away. The early play of the Rangers gave them a lot of confidence. The Celtic gradually wakened up, and made a hot attack on their opponenets goal. Cassidy sent in a fine shot, but Haddow managed to get rid of it, and play ranged from end to end in the most vigorous manger. McMahon and Campbell were putting in a lot of work on the left, and caused Smith and Marshall a lot of trouble. The play was pretty equally divided, and H McCreadie with a long fast shot nearly scored for the Rangers the ball just passing the post. After some very clever forward play, the ball was passed back to Blessington, who sent in a well-judged high shot, which just grazed the crossbar. The forward play of the Celts was neat and precise considering the ground, and Haddow’s charge had some narrow escapes indeed. Doyle was the mainstay of the Celtic defence. And besides covering up Reynolds mistakes he kicked powerfully and with judgment. Drummond was also returning powerfully for the Rangers. Through some floundering on the part of Reynolds, the first corner kick of the game was conceded to the Rangers, but it was easily got rid of. Play had gone 30 minutes, and there was still no scoring although each side was striving it’s utmost to succeed in that direction. The weakness of the Celts was apparent at halfback, and a slip in that direction, and a miss by Doyle – the only blemish so far of a grand display on his part – nearly cost his side a goal. The Celts forwards however were playing a sound game, and Madden nearly scored, a corner resulting. The ball was well placed, and a foul right in front of the Rangers goal was the result. To the relief of their supporters, however the Rangers got the ball clear, and McPherson careered down the field but the ball went into touch. Taken all over, the Celts were playing the better game, and the Rangers goal several times nearly came to grief. As the first half of the game was drawing to a close the Rangers improved greatly, but a dangerous run was spoiled by Reynolds who ran in and cleared well, the first god bit of play he showed so far. The Rangers halfbacks and especially McCreadie, were very effective, and really did splendid service against the powerful combination opposed to them. Right on however that Celtic had the most of the attacks, but just about the close Kelly missed his kick and the Rangers forwards without a moment’s warning were down on Cullen. Through some bungling however they lost one of the best chances that possibly could be afforded them, and Cullen managed to get the ball away amidst intense excitement. Two corners almost in succession, and a fine kick right in front of the Celtic goal, looked as if the Rangers must score at last, but no. By good luck the Celts got the ball away, and they might have made considerable progress had not Campbell dallied too long and allowed Smith to clear his lines. The Rangers play improved immensely as the game went on, and gave their supporters the confidence that they must score at last. They certainly did everything in their power by long shooting and utilising every advantage. The exertions of the men were beginning to tell somewhat, and several of them were palpably done up. This was specially the case with W Maley, but he was unwell, and probably should not have played at all. Just before the close Madden nearly lowered the colours of the Rangers with a swift shot, which Haddow with difficulty got rid off, and a foul close to the Rangers goal brought no advantage. At halftime neither side had scored. The Celts started the second half in capital style, but the Rangers soon retaliated, and a smart tussle took place in front of the Celtic goal, which was just cleared in time. Then the Celts made off, but Andrew McCreadie who was playing a grand game, came to the rescue, and smartly transferred play to the other end, where some exciting work ensured, and from a foul against them, Doyle had reluctantly to concede a corner. Nothing came of it, however and the Celts once more romped away. Grand play by McMahon brought the ball to close proximity of the Rangers goal, which was at the mercy of Campbell, but he shot high over the bar, and missed at a most critical period of the game. However the Celts had a corner, and after the ball had been got away, W Maley, whose play vastly improved, shot into the goalmouth. However after ten minutes from pass by Barker, H McCreadie scored the first goal for the Rangers amidst a scene of indescribable enthusiasm. The goal, in the instance was the result of a foul, which was smartly turned into account. The Celts played most determinedly to equalise, but the goal gave the Rangers the confidence, and they played like a winning team all over, though sorely pressed at times. Time after time the Celts rushed away and fairly besieged the Rangers goal, but the Rangers fairly blocked them, and the ball could not be got through. After about 20 minutes play Barker rushed along the left wing and scored the second goal for the Rangers by a shot which Cullen could not possibly save. The game to all intents and purposes was now practically over. Encouraged by their success the Rangers were masters of the situation. They played a winning game, and from some grand passing in front of goal the ball was sent over to the left, where McPherson scored a grand goal – the third of the match. All interest was now gone and the Rangers supporters were naturally jubilant. It was useless to describe the further progress of the game, as the Rangers maintained the upper hand, and the spectators began to leave the field. A quarter of an hour from the close, the Celtic scored their first goal, but it was too late. They had a corner-flag kick, and from a scrimmage in front of goal W Maley sent the ball through. Although the Rangers had the game well in hand they did not relax their efforts by any means, and as a manner of fact they came near scoring again. The Celtic were unlucky there can be no doubt, as their forwards were full of play, and Campbell excited one of the best runs of the day. Bit it was all too late, and everybody hailed the Rangers the winners of the Cup for the first time in their existence. The result which needless to say, was received with unbounded enthusiasm, was as follows – Rangers 3 goals: Celtic 1 goal.
