Quinn 55
Match Information
Attendance: 67,000
Referee: Sergeant Vick (Glasgow)
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
I have witness the majority of the big games between Rangers and Celts. The latest decided at Ibrox Park yesterday in circumstances that left a vivid impression with the onlooker of the tremendous hold these rival clubs have on the affections of the public, produced as keen a struggle as any I can recall between them. Glorious weather enabled the vast crowd of 65,000 people to watch the game with comfort. From first to last the spell of the play influenced the rival sections among the spectators. Although Quinn scored the only goal of the match gone, the issue hung in the balance up to the close. The Rangers put up a brilliant struggle all through. Fifteen minutes from time they looked twice on the verge of scoring. Only the aggressive head-work of Dodds kept them out. A draw would not have done either them an injustice, so equal was the aggressive work and shooting on the average of play. One does not forget either that if Hempsey had not been unsighted by Campbell when the fatal corner-kick was taken, a goal-less draw would have accrued. Considering that the Rangers were deprived through accident of the services of Reid, Bennett and Alex Smith, in front and that Galt was also a non-starter, the result is a tribute to the power and efficiency of the team. I was delighted with the nippiness and activity of the younger players, who filled the breach. Perhaps if the more experienced ‘Light Blues’, who were compelled to stand down, had been able to toe the mark, the Celts would not have won. For pace and skill on the ball, the youthier element gave the Celts a deal of running they are not accustomed to. The speed of the ‘Light blues’, however, was countered by the craft and experience of the Celts, who were just that shade more dangerous because of their riper judgment. Over the game, the Celts were safer in back play, and forward they controlled the attack better than the Rangers. The Rangers did not spread their attack like the Celts, or play so open to each other. On both sides the goal ran several narrow escapes, two shots from Goodwin in the first half, one from Parker, and one from Logan representing the Rangers’ best chances. Parker’s was a scoring chance, and only the angle at which he got the ball spoiled his effort. No Ibrox player, however, got a better opportunity to equalise the game than what fell to the lot of Hogg at the Govan end of the field. Close in he passed the ball when it was his obvious duty to shoot. The best section of the attack was the left wing, where Goodwin and Paterson played like the proverbial book. The outside man was the start of the attack. His dribbling was delightful to watch, and his trickery amazingly assured for this lad. Bowie was the worker of the five. As an emergency half he was untiringly was brilliant as his passing was true. Hogg’s recent spell of inaction was visible in his movements although often he got the ball awkwardly. If Reid had been able to play, the Rangers forwards would have been more settled. Parker is a waiter. His individual traits are pronounced. The young centre does not lack skill, but he was not the man for the team in such a match that Reid would have been. To my way of thinking, the pronounced difference between the Rangers and Celtic in forward play, allowing for the greater pace of the Rangers, was the brilliant leadership that Quinn imparted to the Celts. The famous centre passed well, and judged his half-backs better. His shooting was well on the mark. For the second year in succession Quinn had the honour to win this New Year game for his club. The deciding effort yesterday was nothing compared with the several excellent tries that just missed the mark or were held by Hempsey. Next to the centre, McMenemy was the life of the attack, and he worked with a zeal and skill refreshing to witness. The others showed equal pluck against forceful and desperate tackling. Upon the half-back fell the brunt of a trying ordeal? In the Rangers’ side none bettered Robert Brown for skill. He was the Brown of the Cup final only more so. I believe Logan was the most useful of the trio when it came to hard graft. Logan was the spoiler of the three. His anticipation was ideal, and his headwork invaluable. Gordon, like Brown. Combined skill with unflinching tackling, but he ‘fouled’ more frequently than any other player on the field. The Celtic three were uniform. Loney eclipsed Parker by his judgment; Young lasted well and played with success to every ounce of his strength. Johnstone was perhaps the coolest player on the field, and he gave Hogg absolutely no rope. In such a tearing match the back play was not without blemish. After the first fifteen minutes Dodds was not surpassed by any of the full backs. He was a tower of strength to the Celts. McNair was safe as usual, without displaying the dash of his partner. Campbell kicked well and with length in his returns. He was the more reliable of the two Ibrox men. The wide passing of the Celtic forwards gave both men an unusual gruelling. Hempsey and Mulrooney were tested often, and their work was critical. Both keepers displayed excellent judgment and were plucky to a degree. Each took risks without mishap. The game provided numerous hard knocks. It could not be otherwise with players strung to an intense pitch
