G McMillan <45
Match Information
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: T Small (Dundee)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Superb goalkeeping by Willie White saved Hearts from a heavy defeat at Ibrox yesterday. He was in great form, and his anticipation, parrying, clutching and clearing were masterly. Consolation is to be tendered him for the only goal lost. It was an unsatisfactory affair. White, grimly clutching the ball, was rolled over the goal-line by Marshall and McMillan. The Hearts’ player in vain protested to the referee, apparently claiming that the keeper had been fouled. The goal failed to elicit a throaty roar – it was too much a milk-and-water incident. And for a considerable time, the game was likewise – lifeless, without backbone. It was in the second half, when wind and driving sleet had subsided, that the pulses were quickened, and the contest assumed anything spectacular in aspect. The players’ pulses, too, were quickened, for John White twice came under the ban of the referee for persistent and irritating fouls. Meiklejohn, too, got a quiet word. To the game. Rangers had their hands full, it would appear, when set to face and combat a chill, driving wind, punctuated with frequent bursts of stinging sleet and snow. But the ‘Light Blues’ went into their task in determined fashion. In fact, Hearts found the wind frequently more a hindrance than a help. Totally different in method were the teams, for Hearts supplied much first-time kicking, with consequent inaccuracy in the destination of the ball. For rangers, a more reposeful style, calm yet thrustful, with rapier jabs along their attacking line. And Hearts’ defence fluttered a trifle in face of the pressure. Their backs kicked away the ball as if it were white-hot. Such tactics led to rangers’ goal, for Archibald caught on to a misplaced clearance and sent a cross shot in to White, who was bundled a yard over his line as I described. From then until half-time the game struck a flat note. Much scientific play was served up by Rangers. It led nowhere in face of the capricious wind. Hearts’ half and forwards attempted to emulate the foe, and also saw their schemes go awry. When the game restarted, the wind had died to a breeze, and the teams got a better opportunity of bringing craft to worthy ends. Willie White commenced the spectacular period by turning aside a lightning hook shot from Cunningham. Then a flashing ball sent in by Marshall from an oblique angle was disposed of, and defied by the dauntless keeper, Rangers concentrated on attack, determined to break down the barrier. So persistently keen were Meiklejohn and Muirhead in aiding and abetting their forwards that they imperilled their own goal when Rogers or Murray, the fleet Edinburgh wing men, got a stray ball. The former cut in and crossed many inviting balls, and timeous interventions by Shaw and McCandless alone saved situations ominous, with the hovering John White and McMillan. Temper was on tap ere the final whistle, but Mr Small handled the culprits judiciously, yet firmly. Edinburgh folks crave a team capable of winning League honours. Hearts impressed me as a team – I will not say capable of winning the chief honours – but they have possibilities. Full back was the weak line in yesterday’s game. Peter Kerr is slowing down. He yet displays judgment in tackling, but in the chase, he is the underman. King was not impressive. Had Alec Archibald been more astute he could have accomplished more against the Hearts’ left defence than he did. Alex Johnstone (an erstwhile Ranger) was the one weak man in the Hearts’ middle line. He displayed neither the power nor precision of his colleagues – J Johnston and Slaven. The last-named worried unceasingly at Cunningham, with the result that Andrew was forced to mistime a pass or risk losing in a tackle. Morton, too, came under the attention of the tireless Heart, and Peter Kerr was thereby helped. J Johnston is a big-hearted pivot – strong tackling, ever watchful and thrustful when occasion demands. John Whitem usually the number one man in attack, was rather out of it yesterday. Absent was the swift move and the still swifter shot. Rogers and Murray were keen wingers and played hard throughout. The latter received good support from Lauchie McMillan and Morgan, in the centre, worried tirelessly at Shaw, whose superior height made his task apparently easier than it really was. The team worked well as a combine, but the power was spent ere shooting range was reached. With one or two changes the Hearts should make a bit of a noise. Rangers came through the game, if not in a blaze of glory, with credit. The defence was sound. Gray’s remarkable recovery powers were fully demonstrated on a sodden ground. McCandless kicked and schemed with graceful ease. Meiklejohn was the most thrustful half, but David showed that with equal success he can shoot in a ball or swerve neatly past a foe for a gliding pass. In attack, Cunningham was the key-man, with Morton his closest rival. McMillan inclined to roam, and Archibald was left alone. Marshall was handclapped against the tall Johnston.
