Reid 75
Match Information
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: H Russell (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The game between Rangers and Aberdeen at Ibrox yesterday produced the same old story – for Rangers. They attempted too much fancy work, and as a consequence lost many chances. That was one reason why they were defeated; another, and less easily remedied reason, was that in the team were men who are plainly not of Ibrox standard. With the exception of Cummingham and Morton the attack was pitifully weak. Cosgrove and Edward made light work of Chalmers and Fleming. The Rangers’ centre was of very little account in the game. I can remember only one shot of his that reach Blackwell. A word about the game. During the first half Rangers promised well and gave indications that a victory was not beyond them. Their wing halfs forced matters, and the forwards were backed with many good passes. The left wing was the livelier, and Hutton was none too sure of how to deal with Morton. On the extreme right, however, was a weak spot. Osborne was very easily held, and Cunningham’s subtle schemes were rather wasted. Andy got little support from either side. He ploughed a lone furrow and sensing him as a potential danger-spot even by himself, MacLachlan and Ritchie both concentrated on him. Their task was lightened by the inability of Fleming to clinch matters or cause concern to the Aberdeen defence. The Rangers’ half-backs, realising the futility of the attack, were in a dilemma. They had either to assume an offensive role and give the darting crisp-passing Dons’ forwards wide scope or else defend and witness complete failure in front of Blackwell. After half-time they attempted to do both. The result was unsatisfactory. The Aberdeen half-backs ultimately assumed well nigh complete mastery of the Ibrox forwards, and gradually set their attack into a state of mobility. The haphazard Rangers’ half-backs were mercilessly racked when Reid, Smith and Pirie got really going. These three raided ceaselessly, and what had been an ever-growing possibility became for rangers a grim reality. Aberdeen scored. A swinging pass to the eight and MacLachlan put Alex Reid in possession. He beat the defence by sheer speed and finished with an oblique shot that beat T Hamilton every foot of its passage. That finished Rangers, and desperation was rife in their ranks in the closing minutes. Aberdeen won worthily. They played a more telling game than Rangers. Hutton was erratic but displayed good recovery at times. MacLachlan was the best half on view. His ball distribution was very good. Forward Reid and Smith, the wingers, and Pirie were the brightest and best. Rangers I cannot praise very much. The goalkeeper and backs were sound especially Jamie Hamilton. At half-back Dixon was the best of a mediocre line. In attack only Cunningham and Morton passed muster. Yesterday’s team will not regain any Rangers’ receding laurels.
