McCrae
S Archibald +2
G Henderson
Match Information
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: A Allan (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
St Mirren players must have felt like kicking themselves at the finish of their game at Ibrox, so softly did they fall in the later stages. They held the Rangers safely in the first half, and led in the scoring, and before Rangers took the lead in the second half, they might have had the points in their pockets. Mason and McCrae (twice) had glorious chances to score, but the former put the ball past in trying to get the ball away from Robb and McCrae did the same with on of his opportunities. On the other occasion the Rangers goalkeeper saved brilliantly. I haven’t seen a better forty-five minutes this season than in the first half of the game. At one time Rangers did the attacking, and then St Mirren took their turn. The Paisley half-backs dominated the play during this period and kept swinging the ball about much to the disconcertment of the Ibrox defenders. The forwards were not good finishers, however, and Robb was not troubled as much as he might have been under the circumstances. Saints chance to create a sensation came early in the second half, for I do believe that if Mason or McCrae had taken the chances, I have referred to, they might have got full spoils of the game. When they failed at that, however, a general rot set in, which was indicated in several ways. The wing halfs began to sag, and neither Findlay nor Newbiggin, who had been doing well, bore themselves well under the strain. They had reason to feel annoyed when the third goal was scored. At least, I thought so, for Cairns, who scored with his head, and Henderson looked to me in an offside position when the ball was played to them. However, the referee didn’t seem to have any doubt, and at that time I don’t think it affected the ultimate result although the score might not have been so wide. As a matter of fact, the three goals difference flatters the Light Blues, for St Mirren were almost as good a side for two-thirds of the game. Where the latter failed first of all was in attack. Forwards, with the support they had ought to have rammed one or two goals home. Rangers made several changes in their team, Jamieson, McKay and McGregor coming in. They all did well, especially the trig little outside left, who if he was playing regularly, would certainly turn out a real top notcher. There is football in his every movement, and his work is accomplished with very little apparent effort. It seems a pity that such an artist should have to hide his ability in a reserve team, but of course, only eleven men are allowed in a team. Although meeting with this reverse, I am still of opinion that St Mirren are a good side, and if they were stiffened up a bit in front, they would take a lot of stopping. Knox, the new man, did well enough in the first half, but petered out in the second. He seemed to want shaking up a bit. As dull as the weather were the opening passages of the game. The players seemed to be studying one another. But that lasted just for a few moments. Then a great thrill. Young McGregor came right into popular favour with a beautiful cross which Bradford had to fist away. Rangers were playing with determination. Henderson forced Bradford to concede a corner, and Meiklejohn whizzed a real tip-topper past a post. McCrae relieved the pressure for a second or two. Manderson having send the ball back to Robb. Rangers’ bombard! Then came a Rangers bombardment. Bang followed bang, just as if big guns were in action. The ball would go anywhere but into goal. It was driven four times in succession against opponents right in front of goal. Nothing could be made of the attack, and finally Bradford cleared. Clever play by Knox brough relief to St Mirren, but their attack was short lived, and it was Rangers again on the attacking stunt. Cheers for McGregor! After Archibald and McKay had worked an opening, the ball went to the outside left. Steadying for a second, he let go, and the ball went screaming over the cross-bar to a salvo of applause. The newcomer was getting plenty of encouragement from the crowd. St Mirren now. Now we had a turn of the Stains in aggressive mood, and it was touch-and-go for a goal. A corner, taken by Knox, had Robb beaten, and when Thomson touched the ball, it looked as if all was over, until Manderson, standing on the goal-line kicked the ball out of danger. The visitors kept pegging away, and for a time they had the Rangers defence on their toes. It was a great contest between attack and defence. The St Mirren half-backs took a grip of the Ibrox attack, and kept dropping the ball into the Rangers goal, but past the defenders it could not ne got. It was surprising, indeed now little Robb got to do during that period of pressure. A great drive by McDonald caused Robb to spreadeagle himself. McCrae endeavoured to flick the ball as it passed him, but missed, and Rangers’ trouble was over for the time being. Thirty-seven minutes – a goal. At the end of that time McCrae got through, beat Dixon, Jamieson miskicked, and the centre went on. He shot, Robb saved, but the Saint got the rebound, and walked the ball into the net. The equaliser. Rangers were soon on lever terms. In a couple of minutes, they had got the equaliser. And what a goal it was. Henderson went through, and when he looked likely to shoot, he gave the ball to Archibald. The Ranger took the ball in his stride and crashed it into the net, leaving Bradford, who made a gallant effort, helpless to save. Up till half-time it was a magnificent fight, and level pegging when the breather came was just what the play warranted. Rangers began the second half as if they meant to put the issue beyond doubt. Archibald was prominent, and he dropped a high ball into Bradford’s hands. The goalkeeper had to side-step Cairns before he cleared, and he did not appear to relish the attention of the Ranger. Findlay was penalised for a mild offence against McGregor, but what the St Mirren back was lectured by the referee for it would be difficult got an outsider to tell. Archibald and McKay worked a pretty movement, but the outside was robbed as he was about to shoot. Mason miss! With fifteen minutes gone, Mason missed the chance of the game so far as it had gone. McCrae had pushed in to get a ball and was tackled. Mason followed on, and left with no one but Robb to beat, he shot past. Then McCrae got through and delivered a teaser, which caused Robb to concede a corner. This was cleared and play was transferred to the other end. There Henderson banged a cross from McGregor over the bar. McCrae again. Once more the Saints’ centre went through and drove past. The visitors’ luck was certainly out so far as shooting was concerned. With thirty minutes gone Rangers took the lead, and a beautiful goal it was. Starting with McGregor the ball was kept swinging across the goal, and latterly Archibald placed the ball to McKay who, on the turn, drove it into the rigging well out of Bradford’s reach. Rangers three. Three minutes after getting their second goal the Light Blues went further ahead. Knox tripped McGregor, and from the free kick Cairns headed the ball through. The Saints players protested against the goal on the ground of offside, and I certainly think the referee made a mistake, for both Cairns and Henderson had only Bradford between them and the goal when the kick was taken. It was all Rangers now, and chance after chance of adding to the score was missed. McKay and Henderson shot over from close range. Just on time McGregor got a beautiful pass from McKay and tried his luck with a shot. A nice one it was too, and the swerving ball troubled Bradford, who dropped it. Henderson ever up, had only to scrape it into the net. Regarding the players it can be said in a general way that all did well in the first half. A different story had to be toll about the second period, however, when St Mirren carried some palpable passengers. Both goalkeepers were well tested, and both came out of the ordeal with credit. Bradford had little chance with the goals that beat him, although I must say he was a little at fault when Rangers got their fourth. Robb was at his beat, and that is as good as one could wish for. The back play was a bit unsteady all over although I must say that Manderson gave nothing away throughout the game and was best of the four. He tore across to cover up Jamieson on several occasions. Newbiggin and Findlay, the latter especially, have done better. There was not a great deal to grumble about with Jamieson’s display, although I doubt very much if he will displace McCandless just yet. The half-back play all over was of a good standard, and if there was one more outstanding than another that man was Summers, who from beginning to end, was ever in the picture. For a time, Morrison and McDonald gave him good support, but tapered off. Almost as prominent as Summers and particularly in the second half. Dixon kept a watchful eye on McCrae. Meiklejohn and craig were both good throughout, and at times their play touched the very highest standard. Rangers were always superior in attack. I was pleased to see Archibald in one of his brightest moods, and on yesterday’s form there is not a player in the country who could oust him from the position. He was well supported by McKay, and each of them scored a brilliant goal. Cairns coached McGregor nicely, and got the best out of him, while Henderson if erratic, was always on top of the opposing defence. If McCrae had had the same support as the Rangers’ centre, he might have done a lot of damage. As it was, he did not get the ball too well placed to him, and it was mistaken policy to continue giving him so much of it when he was being ‘policed’ by Dixon. None of the others did too well; I have seldom seen Thomson so far out of a game.
