McKay 4
Muirhead 24
Red Cards
Gordon sent off 78
Watson sent off 78
Match Information
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: J Stevenson (Motherwell)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The Rangers v Celtic semi-final Charity Cup-tie endeavour at Ibrox was quite a good game, with a rather unfortunate incident coming towards the close. Rangers throughout were the more convincing side, but although they had a preponderance of play, especially during the first half, they were in arrears at the finish, which all goes to show that the race is not always to the swift, not the spoils to the strong. Celts defence was built on usual lines, but the forwards were youngsters all but youngsters who had all previously shown their grit in League football. Neither Cassidy nor Gallagher were out, and it says a lot for them that they pulled off such an event as this. Rangers, with quite a serviceable side, put up a great first half show. They outpointed Celtic on the number of shots at goal, and carried a fine balance, which the strategy of McNair and the cleverness of Shaw discounted to a large extent. Shaw has never serves his club better than in this match. He never made a mistake. He got up and down to many great efforts, and had no earthly chance with header that Muirhead got home. Celts spelt first danger, McInally hooking a ball past Manderson, and Shooting off the target. An early goal gave the Celts a lot of confidence. It came after four minutes play. Gordon made a bloomer in front of Robb. McKay saw to it that it was improved upon. He took it first time, and Robb was well beaten for the first goal of the match. The Light Blues wakened up, Cunningham had a straight left blocked en route, and against this McKay had another snip from McInally, and Robb was stretched to clear, and clear he did. For a long time it was all Rangers. They held the reins. Cunningham was a great in the first half as he was feeble in the second. He had many excellent movements, both as a distributor and a shot, and it was largely to the credit of Shaw that he held, diverted, and put good scoring possibilities over the bar. Yes, Charles was undoubtedly the man of the moment, the hope of his side. Livingstone, who was playing his first Celts-Rangers match, was nervy. He never could quite get a good grip on the Rangers right wing combination. Rangers were well due the equaliser when it came in twenty minutes. Archibald was bumped, Meiklejohn placed nicely from the place kick, and Muirhead beat Shaw with a header. Rangers were slack in the rear, Gordon was not at top form, and Mandersons motto was Get it away without being particular as to the direction. Tus it was that Celtic were always to be feared in their raids, as they were all clever plodders, though a trifle slow. McNair was the Parkhead stand-by, unequalled for judgment, doing all he had to do well, and with consummate cleverness and skill. Celts, as the first half ran to a close, were seldom in the picture. Rangers on play should have had the game well won. They failed always at the last hurdle, and the teams crossed on a one-goal score, with Rangers having a matter of six flag kicks in hand. In the latter half play was always interesting, because of the issue always being in the balance. Gilchrist fouled Paterson, and Manderson spoiled his clearance, and left a Celtic opening, but no damage was done. The bouts between Archibald and Livingstone were lively and interesting. Archi was well plied with the ball, but nothing much doing. A flying drive by Muirhead did not find its billet. Cringan revelled in his work. He was a dominating factor alike in attack and defence. But he failed to police Cunningham as he might, and was inclined to roam, but as a roamer he was a spoiler, and a food one at that. Cunningham fell off badly from his first half game. He tried to do too much, and thats the reason he did nothing. Paterson did not get the support he should out of Cairns. The latters passes were short, and McNair and Gilchrist had quite an easy passage to hols the home left. Cunninghams headers were simply clearing lines for Shaw. The Darvel man had not the same weight on with his napper as with his right foot. From their first corner Celts might have struck danger had Cringan not missed his punt, and McStay weak with his left. Rangers fell away from their opening fire, each one trying on his own, and losing in the process. Celts were still raiders with McLean the leader up. A penalty award was granted them, McLean mad off. He was tackled by Manderson, both outside the line and over it. He was played not according to rule, and the referee gave a penalty. This was strenuously opposed by the Rangers, none more so than Gordon, but the referee adhered to his decision, and, observing the whole incident, I am at one with the referee in the correctness of his ruling. McStay beat Robb from the spot. Shaw again got his hand on a ball that looked like beating him to the wide, and Manderson essayed a speculator near enough to cause discomfort. The worst miss of the game was when McInally missed a ground pass from Watson. Then followed the incident between Gordon and Watson with led to the dismissal from the field. It happed with twelve minutes to go. The players fell foul of each other, blow were struck and both were sent to the pavilion. Celts lines might have been further depleted if another player who championed Watsons cause had also got his reward. It was an unfortunate incident to a game that was otherwise clean. Rangers never looked like making up leeway. Celtic ran out winners rather luckily. For Rangers Robb was not tested; Gordon, Dixon, Muirhead, Cunningham and Paterson were outstanding. For Celts Shaw, McNair and Cringan were heroes in the strife, with Craig the best forward, and Adam McLean a good second
