J Bowie
Gracie
Match Information
Attendance: 41,000
Referee: Mr R.T. Murray (Stenhousemuir)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
At Ibrox Park before over 30,000 spectators, the undefeated Hearts and Rangers met under League auspices on Saturday. A lucky cannon off Reid gave Rangers a first-minute goal. Gracie was credited with the equaliser, and in the second half Wattie won the match for the Capitalists, following a miskick by Kelso. All the topic of conversation after the finish of the match on Saturday related to the Hearts’ equalising goal. It was a keenly-contested point, both with players and spectators, and created much discussion. As viewed from the press-box, Lock when charged did not seem to be over the goal line, but Referee Murray thought otherwise. I thought he might have consulted at least one of the linesmen, as he did when the Rangers scored, but he was absolutely certain of the score. No one would call the game a great one. At the best it was keenly and strenuous; often scrappy, and seldom brilliant. There was more dash and nippiness in the young Hearts’ side than in the Rangers, especially in defence, where Boyd, Crossan and Currie were heroes. Once more the Rangers showed blemishes. The ‘Light Blues’ flattered but to deceive. Still I am within the mark when I say that had they taken a tithe of their shooting chances they would not have dropped both points. At the best, a draw would have been a fair reflex. All the goals were of the lucky order. Bowie’s shot that went into the net off Reid was a happy-go-lucky effort; Gracie’s equaliser was a staggerer; while Wattie’s leading goal followed a miss by Kelso. As a matter of fact, neither team deserved to score at all. There was greater snap in the Hearts’ team, both fore and aft. The backs kicked lustily, though often recklessly; the halves tackled relentlessly, and the forwards ran as a well-trained quintette should run. Crossan was the man in defence, and Graham the dazzler in attack. There was not a single weakling in the leaders’ side, which is more than I can say for the ‘Light Blues.’ Now that the Rangers have lost their unbeaten certificate, changes are likely to be made. Purcell may be introduced, and a new forward formation adopted. Bar Mercer, the Hearts had out their strongest eleven, while Hendry resumed for the Rangers after his practice injury. Logan and Bowie did really well. Wattie’s leading goal, was the result of a nice centre by Wilson, who took full advantage of Kelso’s miss, because, ere the Renton could recover, the clever winger shot across for Wattie to net, after Gracie had failed to gather and shoot. During the closing ten minutes the Rangers made frantic efforts to equalise, but their opponents’ motto was evidently ‘Any port in a storm,’ and the ball was oftener out than in play. The Hearts fairly showed up many Ibrox weaknesses. I cannot refrain from blaming Lock for the loss of the first goal. In my opinion he had time to clear before Gracie reached him. At the same time, he brought off many brilliant saves. Tom Kelso was disappointing, while Craig played a finely at left back. He has returned to his best International form. For a time Gordon did well until Graham and Wilson began to run him about. Then he fell away. Logan was steady, strong and always safe. I don’t think Bennett is now quite suited to the outside position, after his long career as inside player. He didn’t quite fill the bill. Bowie, however, was grand in opening out, and had he shot better he would have carried off the honour of being the best forwards on view. Reid got few chances, yet he once more got the inevitable goal. Cairns and Smith didn’t blend. I think Cairns, with his superabundance of energy, would make a good half-back. Boyd, in the Hearts goal, impressed me with his confident fielding. He is a decided capture. Both Crossan and Currie went out to tackle, and both succeeded grandly. U thought Alf Briggs the best of the Hearts’ halves. Hr never wasted the ball, and his ‘cute intervention proved too much for Cairns. No Hearts’ forward compared with Graham, the old Raith Rovers, his fine dribbling and passing being the feature of the Hearts’ attack. Gracie shone as a mover, while Wattie was too quick in his movements for Hendry. The huge attendance was the most gratifying part of the match, almost £1,000 all in being gathered
