William Chalmers 25
Match Information
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: Tom Dougray (Bellshill)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Remarkable fact, is it not, that when Celtic and Rangers meet, we seldom see that brilliance which we are accustomed to associate with the powerful teams of Parkhead and Ibrox? Yesterday’s game provided a fair number of thrills, a good number of attractive man-to-man movements, but very few periods of sustained brilliance. The wind, a capricious factor, played a certain part in the game. The ball too seemed peculiarly light. But the players, or the majority of them, failed to live up to their reputations. They were too eager, too impulsive, influenced, I have no doubt, by recent events in the Glasgow Cup ties. But for Celtic’s play in the closing half-hour I should say that Rangers were worthy their victory. Had the Parkhead fellows equalised in the fast-flying minutes near the end, however, they would have got no more than they were entitled to. And Rangers would have lost a point they deserved to lose, for they played what is usually termed ‘a losing game’. They fell back on goal almost to a man; their attacked consisted of an occasional dash by Archibald on the right, or a determined, but futile, sprint by Henderson up the centre. In packing their goal, they certainly prevented Celtic from equalising. But I should have been delighted to see them push ahead, open up the play, and reveal the real Ibrox touch which we have so long been accustomed to. Chalmers, enterprising and volatile, lacks the force of Cairns, McKay cannot knit a line like Cunningham. Thus handicapped, Rangers did well to win, and their supporters need wear a less lugubrious look now that the run of ill-luck had been broken. Rangers took the wind in the first half. They were wise. Wise too, in playing close up on McStay and Hilley, neither of whom was at all happy in his kicking. McStay, in particular, seemed uncomfortable when facing his own goal. Two things he forgot – that it is dangerous for a defender to pass the ball across his own goalmouth, and that a full back’s paramount duty is to clear his lines without delay. Rangers’ forwards soon discerned Willie’s weaknesses. But McKay and Henderson. Though crafty in intention, were clumsy in execution near goal, and several promising movements broke down very simply in front of Shevlin. Chalmers did the trick midway through the first half. McKay delivered a delightful pass, and Chalmers with his right, and half-turned towards Celtic’s goal, smashed the ball past Shevlin. Celtic slavishly plied McGrory. But Arthur Dixon was not asleep. He lay behind the Parkhead centre all the time, and I am certain his proximity worried the Celt, who never even threatened to be dangerous. Once or twice, he had chances, but slipped at the critical moment. Even after the interval Rangers for a time impressed me more than their opponents. McGrory’s solo run – cleverly stopped by Manderson – was the start of the Celtic bombardment. Thomson thrust in the best shot of the match – Robb was beaten, but the crossbar was in the path of the ball. Archibald had a glorious chance, and his shot, from a sharp angle, startled McStay and Shevlin, who between them, managed to turn the ball over the bar. Realising the benefit of the wind, McInally shot and shit again. But it was his day off. Most of the deliveries went wide, and one got the crossbar. McLean had two or three beauties, testers for Robb, who saved with a confidence and crispness that impressed everyone. Till the finish Celtic hammered Rangers’ defence. A ‘free’ to the Parkhead lot seemed dangerous, but McLean, who headed neatly into goal – it was claimed that the ball was over the line when Robb stopped it – was adjudged offside. For about ten minutes twenty-one players were in Rangers’ end of the field. Yet the Light Blues’ defence held out. Foremost of the victors’ side I place Robb, Hamilton, Dixon and Archibald. This was Hamilton’s best game since his transfer from Love Street. Manderson and Muirhead worked very hard, without being brilliant. Craig, I have seen do better. Alan Morton, dangerous always, gave McStay and Wilson a lot of think about, but he went slightly lame in the second half. Chalmers was in a favourite position at inside left. He gave a promising display. Henderson was always struggling, seldom successfully. Shevlin had no chance with the shot that brought the laurels to Ibrox. Celtic’s defence needs tightening up. Wilson and James McStay alone played up to standard. McFarlane and Hilley have not yet devised a scheme with which to stop Archibald. Hilley, however, kicked cleanly, and with better judgment than any other back on the field. Thomson and McLean were Celtic’s outstanding forwards. Connolly was shaky, McGrory not nippy enough and McInally dead out of luck, both with his purveying and his shooting.
