Hamilton 10
Hogg 35
Match Information
Attendance: 47,000
Referee: J.S. Muir (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I was reminded often during the progress of the fierce League struggle at Celtic Park between the great rival organisations in Glasgow of a local Cup finals decided at Cathkin Park in the early days of the Glasgow Cup competition by the frequency of the stoppages to the game on Saturday caused by accident and the handicaps to which the teams were subjected. On the occasion I refer to Sandy McMahon was the chief sufferer, and the Celts, who were the principal victims, gained a notable victory, although forced to play two men short for a considerable portion of an intensely interesting struggle in the second half between the Rangers forwards and the Celtic defence. The huge holiday crowd at Parkhead on the first day of the year witnessed a first half which promised to leave behind impression of one of the most desperate and demanding games every played by the clubs. Unfortunately a series of mishaps occurred to cripple the teams, and spoil what otherwise would have been a more engrossing struggle. The play was intensely keen, and despite the crop of accidents the game was not of a rough nature. Players took risks we are not accustomed to see taken in any other match, and both sides suffered to a greater extent than was apparent to the spectators, as my visit at the close to the dressing rooms plainly showed. However, it was the season of good fellowship, and not an angry word was raised in protest, while embrocation and bandages were being liberally applied. The first player in the wars was Weir who, in contact with Hogg, went down, with the Ibrox heavy weight uppermost. The Celt was damaged about the ribs, and had to retire for a spell. To equalise matters Craig, the left back on the other side, had an already weak knee damaged by the impact of the ball from a drive by McMenemy, and was forced to retire for good seven minutes from the interval. In the second half Weir reappeared, but the Rangers were further crippled by the temporary retirement of Gordon, who was sickened by a knock to the face, while Johnstone of the Celts, was twice hurt – above each eye – and McMenemy’s daring in going for a ball when an opponent had the boot in the air and was in the act of kicking it led to him getting the full force of the kick on the chin and throat, and had to retire for good. For a time the Rangers had nine players in the field, and each team finished a man short. All the scoring was done in the first half, when the Celts had the full force of the gale behind them. The ground was treacherously soft, and the players had extreme difficulty in retaining balance, especially when tackled. For three years in succession David Hamilton, who gets his benefit tomorrow, when the Hearts visit Parkhead, has had the honour of scoring first goal for the Celts in this New-Year fixture, and his latest was magnificently taken. The left winger got the ball forty yards out, and racing on he eluded the backs, cut in, and beat Lock from 15 yards range. Seven minutes later, when the first half was midway through, Alex Smith got the ball passed up from midfield, and going on he squared it perfectly, and had the satisfaction to see Hogg dash in and level matters, the ball going in low at the far corner of the post. Both teams strove with might and main for the mastery, the Celts having the better chances, but they were not numerous so keen was the tackling, and the game was left drawn. In the second half the Rangers adopted the one-back game, and so well did Law negotiate it that the Celts’ forwards play suffered considerably, and they never appeared the same dangerous side. Under pressure Galt was of great assistance to Law at full back. All things considered the Rangers emerged best from the ordeal, as they were the more seriously affected by field accidents. Both goalkeepers were clever in the few critical shots they had to deal with. Once in the second half Lock ran right across to stop the Celtic right-winger, and finally he had to extend himself full length to clear the threatened danger. Law was the best back on the ground, and never played a more heroic or more successful game. Craig, like McNair, who ought also never to have taken the field, was not at his best while he was on the field, but Weir is rapidly getting back to wonted power and vigour. At half-back both sides were exceptionally strong. None bettered James Stark, who alike in defence and attack was brilliant. Gordon gradually got the better of his wing, and before his accident was going great guns. Galt against a tricky wing, was a complete success in the second half, when he was seen at his best. The Celts were well served by all players, with Hay, until he got the ankle damaged putting in the most effective work. The keenness of the half-back play was reflected in the partial non-success of the forwards. Smith, Reid and Hogg were best on the Rangers’ side. The Celts were brilliantly served on the left by Hamilton and Johnstone for fully half an hour at the start, but after that the combination was broken and the wing play ineffective. Two rousing incidence, one at each end, nearing the close of the game, almost brought a goal to each side. Adams saved the Celts, and three of the Rangers defenders enveloped Quinn who making a last individual effort to break through almost succeeded. All players Stark, Gordon and Quinn all ended up spread eagled on the ground
