F Speedie
Porteous <45
RC Hamilton
Match Information
Attendance: 17,000
Referee: Mr J Walker (Kilmarnock)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The visit of the Heart of Midlothian to Ibrox Park was the leading fixture in the Scottish League competition on Saturday, and the event attracted about 17,000 spectators. Brilliant weather prevailed, and a remarkably keen game was witnessed, the cup-holders only just failing to divide the points, as they were beaten in the last few minutes of the game. The Rangers performance in the circumstance was an especially good one, for at the last minute it was found that Drummond and Robertson could not take the field. Crawford was brought in to partner Smith, and at halfback Gibson crossed to his original position on the left, while a place was given to Stark. The forward line was re-arranged. Wilkie made his first appearance for the club after a spell of English service, and McDougall got outside right position. The Hearts played as selected, and the teams looked a pretty muscular one. At the start it looked as if the Rangers were going to have a fairly east time of it, for the Cup-holders could not get far beyond the centre of the field. They lost a goal after ten minutes, when McWattie was out of his goal, and Speedie on the lookout for snap chances. By and by however the Hearts opened out, and their strong bustling tactics upset their opponents combination time after time, until latterly the Rangers were forced to play a wing game. On the fast ground the pace was well sustained, and the Edinburgh forwards improved as the time slipped on. Ere halftime a pretty all-round Porteous drawing the game level, and on till the interval the Rangers backs were kept particularly lively by the manoeuvres of Lorne and Thomson. The centre was a big success at this stage against N Smith, and two of his shots were brilliantly saved by Dickie. Of the several good features in the game none were more pronounced than the sturdy blocking of the Hearts halfbacks, and the timely clearances of Allan and Baird. The Rangers forwards combination was completely burst by the plucky and vigorous work of Thomson, Buick and Hogg. Still they had the best of the exchanges, and but for McWatties brilliance at goal their efforts would have been better rewarded. Next to Rennie the ex-Q.P. custodian is the best that ever served the Hearts. But good goalkeeping was not confined to one side, for if Dickie got less work his saves were as critical as McWatties best and his backs were not quite so reliable as the Hearts pair. Towards the close of play tapered off slightly, but the Rangers revival came with Smiths effort six minutes from the close, and from it Hamilton scored, the Rangers winning by 2 goals to 1. The losers played a strong forcing game for the greater part, and their best forward play was low passing and good shoulder work when it came to close quarters. Lorne was a distinct success. He showed good command over the ball, and in meeting the backs the centre rather opened the eyes of the critics by his fearlessness. All over the Hearts shot well when they got the chance, and they converged better into goal than did their opponents. Down the left wing the team was especially strong. Nicol Smith was a little unequal in his play, but still a shade more effective than Crawford. Gibson was the liveliest member of the defence as Walker could testify, with Neil the steadiest. Start did uncommonly well against a strong Tynecastle wing, McDougall promises well. He is strong on the ball and shoots with judgment, and Wilkie made a good partner for him. A Smith however was easily the most effective of the forwards, for Buicks attentions affected Hamilton for the greater part of the game
