Gray
Barker
Blessington (2)
Madden
Match Information
Manager: No Permanent Manager
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: J Baillie (St Bernard's Athletic)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The return League fixture was played on the ground of the Celtic at Parkhead. The ground was very heavy owing to the recent rains. The Rangers won the toss, and Cassidy kicked off for the Rangers Celts, who had to play against the wind and sunshine. The home team led off in grand style, Blessington having a magnificent run along the right, and centring smartly, Haddow was rushed through the goal, but the Celts failed to get the ball through. Haddow had to leave the field injured, and Smith took his position in goal. The Rangers soon settled down to good combined play, the heavy ground evidently getting them, and Cullen had to look active in saving just as Doyle was sent on his back. Divers and McMahon had a fine run, and indeed the whole forwards were playing splendidly, only the Rangers defence – even without Haddow was steady and robust. Haddow soon returned, but he was limping badly. Doyle was playing a great game at back, and was instrumental in checking the determined rushes of the opposing forwards, and Reynolds too, showed greatly improved form, being steadier then the previous week, and much more confident in his tackling and kicking. Divers was playing capitally on the Celts extreme wing, and formed a capital substitute for Campbell, who was resting. One of his centres might have been converted into a goal, but Blessington shot over the bar. The play so far, was pretty equal, and was pretty much a repetition of the previous Saturday. The chances that were going fell to the Celtic, but despite all their efforts they could not rush the ball through. A slip by one of the Rangers halfbacks nearly cost them a goal. McMahon got through and passed to Divers who had a dozen Rangers upon him before he could realise it. However a corner was conceited followed by a second. Divers placed the ball expediently on each occasion, but the Rangers fairly packed their goal and left nothing to chance. At length however after thirty minutes play McMahon scored a capital goal for the Celts, and immediately afterwards the Rangers transferred play to the other end, where a quick shot from the left skimmed the crossbar. The Rangers played very hard to equalise and some grand passing nearly brought about the result, Cullen rushing out, and just managing to clear. The Rangers were bent on defence, for they were playing four halfbacks, Barker being drawn back to this division. The Rangers wakened up a bit, and put in some grand work, McPherson sending in a grand shot, which would have taken effect, but the ball sticking in the mud. Shortly before halftime the Rangers fairly besieged the Celts goal, and in a scrimmage rushed the ball through and equalised. Kelly was putting in some grand work for the Celts, reminding one of his best days, and from one of his returns the Rangers goal escaped downfall by the nearest luck. At halftime each side had a goal. The Celts had the benefit of the wind in the second half. Divers came away with a rush, and shot straight into goal, and Blessington running in sent the ball through and scored the second goal for the Celts. Play was mostly confined to the Rangers territory, and but for the good defence of the Ibrox backs several goals would have been scored. The Rangers had an n occasional run to the other end, but could fine no opening in the Celtic defence. As the game proceeded the play became pretty rough, and several of the players so far forgot themselves as to quarrel with each other. McPherson was playing a grand game for the Rangers whose play was in strange contrast to what it was in the opening stages, the attack being both brisk and well sustained, and they were having fully as much of the game as their opponents. From a return by Blessington, Smith was forced to concede a corner, which was taken by Divers, who placed the ball behind. A smart run by Steel and Hugh McCreadie fairly raised the enthusiasm of the crowd. The Celtic backs got mixed up and the ball being passed across to Barker, that player made no mistake and steadying himself had no difficulty in beating Cullen and equalising. On the ball being kicked off, it was brought down the wing by Doyle, and the forwards getting possession banged it through and scored the third goal for the Celts, who once more led. Each side played to a man, and the pace was very fast and trying. There was no further scoring however, and a hard game ended Celtic 3 goals: Rangers 2 goals.
