G Henderson 46
A Cunningham pen 89
Match Information
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: J.M. Dickson (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Alan Morton could not conceal his joy when Henderson scored against Aberdeen at Ibrox Park. Tommy Cairns was nearest man to the left-winger at the time. Alan rushed across to ‘shake’ with Tim. Most of the other players let off steam in the same fashion. The hand pump was general. All through the first half Aberdeen’s defence presented an impassable front to the Light Blues. The Rangers had the wind and a blazing sun in their favour. The handicap was real for the men from the North. A minute after the interval George Henderson worked the oracle. He forced a corner kick. From Morton’s cross Henderson headed the goal that was so long in coming. The crowd did not sing the usual chorus. About 20,000 people roared in unison. Things had been uncommonly quiet for Ibrox up to then. Aberdeen plugged away gallantly. Especially the defenders. Hutton did the work of two men. He was the hardest worker on the field. He covered both flanks. The international back was No 1 most of the time. In a commonplace game the Rangers were the better side. As usual, they found it difficult to get goals against Aberdeen. Compared with the Celtic Cup thriller of the previous week the football was dull. Most of the incidents were crowded into the last ten minutes. Aberdeen could not match the Rangers for quick, concerted raiding, although they were desperate to earn the Pittodrie bonus for a draw. Miller almost brought it off. But Aberdeen had no forward with the dash of Henderson. George suffered from the common failings of his clubmates most of the time. The shooting was off. Very much so. Nearing the close of a spoiling game Henderson got extra busy. He had two shots on the target. Then for a grand finale the centre was going through when Hutton dashed across and took his legs. Sure enough, it was a penalty kick. Andrew Cunningham stepped forward and took the spot-kick. Andrew kept up his League scoring record when Blackwell was beaten. There was no time to centre the ball. The game was up. Aberdeen were vanquished. Blackwell, Hutton, Forsyth and Jackson were best of the Pittodrie defence. Their forward exhibition was second-rate. Smith was an easy first. Miller proved a good centre but was badly supported by his inside men. Rankine went lame in the second half, when he exchanged places with Smith, once of Ibrox. Moir and Miller had the two most dangerous shots for Aberdeen. Manderson was all right as a left back for the Rangers, and Reid was a spoiler on the right of him. All three half-backs were better then the Aberdeen’s. Dixon, if less showy, held the lead. Rangers played the first-time movement cleverly. Archibald was badly treated by his opponents but was game as any. The bouts between Morton and Hutton were as appealing to the crowd as the romps of Henderson.
