W Reid
Hendren <45
Match Information
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: R.T. Murray (Stenhousemuir)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
You’ll pardon me referring again to the Ayr United – Hibernian League game. On the Monday following that match, I described the Easter Road team as something of a puzzle; one which I thought capable of bringing off a coup. The coup had been duly brought off. Today the Rangers will subscribe to the couplet – ‘Puzzling Hibs’. We have come to look on the Hibernian as a very dangerous lot once they get their nosed in front in a cup-tie. They emphasised that fact against the Rangers. They did more. They proved as they did at Greenock, that they can make up lost ground. In both these matches they dropped the first goal, yet they are still in the ties. And if pluck and grit are due any reward in football, Dan McMichael’s boys richly deserve to be where they are. Against the Rangers they played a game as eminently suited to the conditions as it was unsuited to their opponents. They were tireless grafters throughout. When beaten, as they were, for a goodly portion of the first half, they defended with grim determination. The forwards joined the rear-guard in the good work, but at the same time always kept an eye to the main chance – I mean goal-getting. It was no surprise to me when they got their first goal, two minutes before half-time whistle. The Rangers, I admit, had them whacked all ends up in everything but goals, but the guerrilla-like attacks on either Easter Road wing were always dangerous against a pair of ponderous big-kicking backs who were seldom happy when at close quarters with the never-say-die Hibernian forwards. But the goal when it did come, should not have been a source of much worry to the Ibrox people, for had their team been worth their salt they should have been resting easy on a comfortable lead. They had everything in their favour – the strong syn and wind behind, the slight fall in the ground in front. They harried these plucky Hibernian defenders to death almost, yet the result of all was a solitary point – and a soft one at that. I liked the movement that led up to it, however. It was the prettiest thing seen in a tie where sweet moving pr pretty footwork was at a discount. I cannot say if Reid played the ball before it rolled into the net off the base of Willie Allan’s left hand upright, but whether he did or not, the goal was Logan’s very own. The big fair-haired half-back who looked like a veritable Goliath in the white jersey with the broad blue band, sent the ball nicely on to Brown, and quickly placed himself in position to receive it back. He got the ball returned all right, carried it on to the corner almost, and flashed it across the goal. The surprising thing to me is that Allan allowed this centre – for that is what it really was - to pass along in front of him. The game was seventeen minutes old then. Prior to this, and right up to the interval, save for the periodical dangerous Hibernian incursions I have referred to, the Rangers were top-dogs, if pressing entitles tem to that distinction. Willie Allan effected several masterly saves, but he was not called on half as often as he should. Reid was well looked after by Paterson, but he got fat too little of the ball. Neither Bowie nor Stewart made anything like the use they should have of their many opportunities, but compared with the extreme wing players they were on a pedestal. Duncan and Brown simply frittered away their chances. For a few minutes at the beginning of the second half it looked as if the Rangers would again get the lead. Allan’s goal had several narrow escapes; indeed, he was lucky to get at an exceptionally fine shot sharp ball from Bowie. Had they scored then, I fancy the Ibrox then would still have an interest in the Scottish Cup. This was really the turning point of the game. The Hibernian came away in splendid style, and after seven minutes’ play, following a corner given away by Campbell – needlessly I think – Smith clapped on the second point. That did it. It gave me my First sight this season of a defeated Rangers team. Strong and fiery best describes the methods of these Hibernian who now played like men possessed. Hit the ball as hard and as often as you can was their motto evidently. But their game was scrupulously fair, there was little or no kicking out indulged in. Constructive play was almost entirely absent. It was really a defence often carried right up to Lock’s goal, and once or twice it was in grave danger of falling. The Rangers faded out of the picture until the last few minutes during which Bowie gave Duncan a rare chance to equalise. Between the scoring of Smith’s goal and the closing minutes referred to I have seldom seen a pooper or better beaten Rangers’ Side. Campbell and Fulton failed badly. After the interval they simply could make nothing of the eager, rushing Easter Road forwards; when either did get an open kick he could not send the ball any length. By comparison the Hibernian pair were top-notchers. I will not be surprise if Templeton’s really magnificent display gets him his cap against Wales. It was good enough for anything. But Girdwood, if less cultured, was scarcely less effective. Against the wind as with it his kicking was powerful and well-times. It was a grand defence, even if Allan was a trifle lucky on two occasions. Gordon and Galt wrought hard, but neither was anything like the player he was at Airdrie the previous week. Nothing was lost by Hendry’s absence for Logan was easily the best Ibrox half-back. In the first half the left side of the field was his own. I thought he kept the ball too much there. Had he swung it across to the right now and then it would have paid better I am certain. Neither Peter Kerr nor Paterson is what I would term stylish players, but they are grand men for a punishing Cup tie. They were in their element. Kerr I reckon was the most useful intermediate player on show. Forward I had the greatest regard for Fleming. The big chap with the well developed pedal extremities if a trifle slow, in possessed of football brains. He presented Hendren with the ball from which he scored the equalising goal. I like this centre forward who seemed to finish the game yards faster then he started it. I was charmed with the manner he took his goal. He had a right good look at Lock before placing the ball where he was not. We were afforded glimpses of the Willie Smith I used to know. I have not seen him do half so well this season. Wood kept Smith going nicely and Wilson centred a few good balls. In the Rangers’ attack one man only is deserving of praise – Willie Reid. He was brave, he was eager. That was demonstrated by the manner he went ahead when he did get a chance, but what can any centre forward do without support? Stewart’s movement were neatness itself, but he simply refused to go on as he should, and Bowie was only so-so. I find no fault with the support given his partner by either inside man. Where both failed was in clinching opportunities, and in sending the ball through to Reid. The balloon blown up at Airdrie has been quickly pricked. We saw little of the new Rangers at Easter Road
