Brown 5
W Reid <45
W Reid
Quinn 84
Match Information
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: J Bell (Dundee)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I cannot recall a first-class match when five such brilliant–taken goals were scored as we saw at Celtic Park in this strenuous League encounter between Glasgow’s powerful rival clubs. From the moment Brown led the way when the game was only five minutes gone with a splendidly judged shot taken on the run from Quinn’s pass, the 45,000 spectators were treated to a succession of thrilling incidents. In every respect it was a typical Celtic-Rangers game, appropriately crowned with a dramatic solo effort from Quinn that produced a goal that kept the spectators talking about the feat for the rest of the evening. I did not fancy the Rangers’ chances of success when their team was disclosed on the eve of the match. The placing of Bowie at left-half and the introduction of Paterson and GS Ramsay as a right-wing combination revealed how badly they were hit through the inability of Galt, Hendry and Hogg to take the field. Probably a more effective middle-line could have been secured with R Brown operating at right-half and Gordon on the left. This would have kept Bowie for the attack. He was lost as a wing-half. With Mulrooney and Gallagher able to resume the Celts had a more business-like team than the side that suffered an eclipse in Fife the previous week. Loney’s position at centre-half was simplified by the interdiction of Dodds. With young McGregor so fit, the defence never once gave cause for anxiety through-out the game. We see in these Parkhead-Ibrox contests a gameness on the part of the players they never quite show in matches with other clubs. Never was this feature more pronounced than in this latest exciting struggle. Against a strongish north-easterly breeze the Celts were set the harder task in the first half. The spirited display of the whole team against the wind came as a revelation to the crowd. From the start they set the hotter pace. Brown’s early goal gave them just a bit of confidence necessary to enable the team to give of its best. The Rangers’ defence seemed more exposed than usual. With Gordon more of an attacker than a defender in the early stages, Brown was often unmarked when the ball was swung out to him by Quinn and Dodds. Bowie’s early work was not suggestive of strength. Twice Brown had the easiest of chances to repeat his early feat of scoring, nut he shot wildly on both occasions. Try as they liked the Rangers could not combine. The wind led to much irritating stoppages as the ball curled off the foot in the direction of the imposing covered stand. Alex Smith and Bennett were tremendously eager to make ground. The Darvel winger was conspicuous for much clever headwork, but Bennett got little rope and for the most part was eclipsed. The right pair were of little assistance and passes sent in their direction were not improved. Once or twice Reid raised the hopes of Ibrox. Once he failed with an open goal to shoot at, but he atoned for this blunder by shooting a grand goal when play had gone half an hour. This evidence of penetrative power where strength was most needed imparted that one touch needful to extend the players. The Celts were reminded of the recent Cup victory of the Rangers at Hampden by this goal from the Ibrox centre-forward. They were all out to avenge the memories of the Glasgow Final. There was a keenness in their forward work that reflected the earnestness of their purpose. Up to the interval no further scoring occurred, although Farrington had distinguished himself by a remarkable save from a terrific drive by Quinn. On balance of play the Celts had it this half. In the second portion of the game, the Rangers reversed the order of attack, and for ten minutes or so the Celtic defence was well tested. Dodds shone at centre-half, and McGregor, improving as the game went on, kicked with a sureness and power that delighted the local crowd. McAtee next came on the scene. Bowie hard pressed, saved a corner-kick. The ball went back to McAtee and on to Gallagher, who promptly put the Celts once more ahead. It was a deceptive goal, and cleverly snapped. Half an hour remained for play. The Celts, more determined, twice tested Farrington through Johnstone and Quinn. But the Rangers had not given up the ghost. Fifteen minutes from time Reid got the ball from Logan, and scored a wonderful goal against the wind. The crowd yelled its delight at the levelling of the game. Baulked all through of getting a goal up to about the end, Quinn had never slacked. Six minutes from time he made another supreme effort. Nursing the ball against the combined efforts of Logan, Campbell and Ormonde to thwart him, he capped a splendid display by beating all three in succession. The ball flashed from his toe like a rocket, and the game was won. The better side triumphed. In defence the Celts were more soiled than their opponents and forward a long way better balanced. Mulrooney was safe in goal, and McNair was more like himself at back. McGregor was courageous and decisive in clearing, and proved himself a sound defender. Dodds was the pick of three strong half-backs. He was more aggressive than either Mitchell or Young. As a trio the Celtic half-backs were more effective than the Ibrox men. Quinn balanced his wings well, worked with zeal and shot splendidly. His wonderful goal showed conclusively that his powers as a goal-getter have not waned. Gallagher was another brilliant success, and Johnstone played one of his best games as a forward. Brown was daring against Campbell and did not shirk his man, while McAtee put in many clever touches. The Rangers’ attack was but a shadow of the usual dashing line. Ramsay was only seen late in the game, and Paterson his youthful partner, was overshadowed by the men against him. Reid and Alex Smith were the life of the attack. The centre’s two goals atoned for many shortcomings on the part of others. For once against the Celts Bennett was not outstanding. Logan and Gordon forced the play most at half-back. So impetuous were the Celts that Campbell and Ormonde got little scope for open kicking. Both did well at clos work. Farrington was confident at goal, and by saving proved himself an apt and clever custodian.
