J Bowie
McAtee +1<45
J Bowie
Match Information
Attendance: 47,000
Referee: R.T. Murray (Stenhousemuir)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The comparison of the Glasgow Cup Final the other week and the latest League test to which the unbeaten champions were subjected reveals marked features of similarity apart from the huge attendance. In both matches the football was fast, open, and desperately keen, with the losers setting themselves a pace for an hour they were unable to maintain till the end. In that hour both Partick and Celts seemed to have the favourites well in hand. In the outfield they were oftenest on the ball, and their more purposeful movements at close quarters suggested anything but defeat. But the greater reserve power was with the ‘Light blues’ and the final verdict justified the happy victorious position in which they found themselves. The latent vitality and strength of the Rangers in both punishing ordeals were so marked as to leave no other impression than that they had proved worthy winners. The display of the Celts the previous week against Aberdeen and in this glorious pulse-thrilling contest at Ibrox Park was as night unto day. The one found them winners of a colourless exhibition that left little else than disappointment, and a foreboding of anxiety for the future, the other saw them nerved with the old fighting spirit, and striving under the big handicap of having to attack without the aid of their ablest forwards Quinn, and McMenemy, in a game against their greatest rivals, pregnant with fate and reputation. Their exhibition redeemed them in the eyes of the sporting world. One of the grand old Games! Often we have seen in those Rangers-Celtic contests the presumably weaker side rise to confound public opinion by the excellence of their display. Form pointed to a Rangers’ triumph, and as the players trooped out of the pavilion to the accompaniment of the roars of the multitude, the majority of the onlookers reckoned the task comparatively easy when they saw the composition of the Celtic team. The transition in the play of the Celts was amazing. They called the tune with a vengeance. The revival forward imparted to the struggle the one spice necessary to exalt the game to its traditional standard. They kept slinging he ball wide, playing on to their opponents’ defence, and unsettling them with bustling activity. Again and again those eager Celts tested Lock and the other defenders, but as often the Rangers proved equal to the occasion. The Ibrox scoring centre, Reid got as much attention as an egg in a cake. Loney rarely left his side. The attack of the home team thus developed on the wings, the left pair, Bennett and Smith, having most of the ball. The play was forceful and thrustful on both sides, with the Celts getting in most shots. But the Rangers were first to score. Getting the ball from Bowie, Hogg cleared Dodds and flashed the ball across to the other wing. Smith caught it up, passed it across as quickly, Reid just missed it, but Bowie coming on, sent in a low fast grounder that gave Adams no chance. The goal was well taken, but the feat was equalled by McAtee a minute later. The sprightly Parkhead right-winger, who had troubled and eluded Hendry and Richmond so frequently, raced down, and from a thirty yards’ angle drove the ball past the astonished Lock with tremendous force. The rapidity of the scoring after half an hour’s resistance thrilled the crowd. At half-time the teams were still level. On balance of play the lesser-fancied eleven, in discouraging circumstances, were unfortunate not to be leading. The sun dispelled the mists of rain as the players came out again, and imparted a gladdening note of colour to the inspiring spectacle. Play waxed hotter than ever, penalty claims were uncommonly numerous, and the rivals pegged into it with reckless courage. Bit by bit the Rangers got into their kingdom. As they settled to quicker action, and a more telling attack due to measure to the initiation of Bowie in passing the ball from inside-right to extreme left, the Celts hitherto strong, began to show signs of fatigue. ‘Tis the pace that kills! They had surprised even their own by their dash and whole-hearted co-operation. It was too fast to last. Quick to seize the opportunity, the Rangers redoubled their energies, and wearing down the opposition they showed their best football of the day in that last half-hour. At about twenty minutes to go the half-backs struck their best form, Gordon – the dribbler of the trio – shot a goal that sealed the fate of the unyielding Celts. There was still sufficient life in the opposition to make victory uncertain, but nearing the close, Bowie got in a long, low shot which Adams might well have saved. The Parkhead custodian was as freely tested as was Lock earlier on, and as often, and it was his little bit of bad luck that his one mistake cost a goal. In my opinion the game was as strenuous as the last memorable League match between the same pair at the New Year. For incident and quality of play, the latest was productive of more brilliant points. To the Celts the unexpected revelation of skill on the part of the younger players Johnstone, Travers and McAtee, were features of a great struggle that will give much satisfaction at headquarters at a time when the strength of the team as a whole gives more concern than has existed for years. On the chances that fell the way of the centre in the first half, especially their regret that the leadership of Quinn was lacking, would afford consolation in the hour of defeat. They put up a fight few deemed them capable. The strong men in the Rangers’ defence were Lock, Campbell and Galt. Gordon and Hendry showed their nippiness play during the turning point of the game and after, but Richmond never settled. The wings were excellent, and honours were about equal. Hogg almost had his usual goal from close range in the second half, when Adams brought off his best save. Bowie’s two goals were a big contribution from him, and his general play was as effective as Bennett’s. To the home crowd, Alex Smith’s fitness to hold his own and lead out the wing play so effective gave unbounded satisfaction. The back play display of the Celts was more consistent, the watchfulness of McNair and Dodds being as conspicuous as their general play. Dodds’ pluck against Hogg, and Johnstone’s cleverness against the heavy-weight winger were always noticeable, Johnstone is a Celtic discovery as a half-back and his artfulness and confidence in this match bespeak a successful career for him in the middle line. Loney’s reappearance in the team was a strengthening influence and it was little wonder the pace latterly was too much for both Yong and he, as both men put in a power of hard work. The right pair opened the eyes of the crowd. Travers passed out well but often too much in the air. His efficient backing up was reflected in the enterprising and highly successful play of McAtee, who was one of the best shots of the day. The losers departed from their orthodox close game, and their freer movement and spreading of the play made for their success in the first half
