Fleming 5
McPhail 10, 68
McLean 24
Archibald 37
Match Information
Attendance: 36,000
Referee: William Bell (Motherwell)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Luck did not always shine on Celtic at Parkhead, yesterday, but there was no doubt that Rangers were the side who deserved the honours. They played a game that was purposeful and artistic, and where an awe-inspiring lot when within range of the Celtic goal. Twenty goals to two in two Charity Cup matches is Rangers’ little lot for the good cause. How many of these would have been scored without McPhail is open to doubt, but on yesterday’s showing, beside being directly responsible for two of the scores, he had more than a finger in the pie of the other two. He is showing the right form fir his new club. From the moment Fleming had beaten Thomson in the early minutes, and this by the way, were in form; they were playing irresistible football. When their second goal had come along, this was McPhail’s own, and one of the coolest ever. Rangers gave one the impression of resting somewhat on their oars, and in fact, throughout the game, it was only after the Celtic had made their biggest efforts that the best was seen of the Rangers. But the luck part of it. Celtic had opportunities to reduce their leeway, but something always got in their way at the crucial moment. I don’t for an instant believe that even if some of these moves had come off the Celtic could have won, for at the other end things were not always ‘jammy’ for the Light Blues. The recollection of two Cunningham smites on the woodwork is sufficient to prove that. There is nothing like a good start to put the Rangers on their game, and with a two-goal lead they never looked like losing. The issue might have been closer had Celtic’s big offensive at the start of the second half been productive of a goal – then, and then only, did we get a touch of the real Celts. There were weak spots in the Celtic defence, and the attack did not come up to the Rangers for sustained brilliance, but even the three-goal difference did not take the interest from the game. There could be no better advertisement for charity football than the latest meeting between the ‘old form’. Rangers opened the proceedings, and after some play in the centre, Connolly put over two sweet crosses, and then fell a corner off Gray. This minor reverse stung the Rangers. McPhail put forward to Morton, and the winger’s cross right into the goalmouth was fumbled by Thomson, and before the Celt knew where he was Fleming had the ball over the line. Celtic put on the screw after this and secured two more corners, but despite this it was the Rangers who scored again. This time McPhail was the artist. Slipping his way as neatly as one could wish through the backs, he selected his spot to place the ball, and Thomson hadn’t an earthly. These two goals so early in the game put the Rangers on good terms with themselves, and some of the fire went out of their play, but the next thrill wasn’t long acoming. Rangers’ attack set on the move once again by McPhail got into range, and Cunningham, with his deadly left, plugged in a real smasher which cannoned against a post. Celtic’s turn came next. Hamilton had a troubled time, and after shots from McColgan and McInally, Connolly sent one in which the keeper could not get away. The ball went out to McLean, and with the goalkeeper still on the floor, Adam shit through a sea of players for the Celtic’s first. Another corner came Celtic’s way, but it proved fruitless, so did another a few seconds later, when McLean, McInally and Thomson had hefty shots blocked before the Rangers could clear their lines. And then a burst by Fleming, a neat pass to Archibald from McPhail, and the right winger shot hard for goal. Unfortunately for Celtic, Hilley got in the way of the shot which helped it on its way to beat the Celtic keeper for the third time. Hamilton was next in action from a McLean shot, and then Cunningham struck wood for the second time in the game, only this time it was the crossbar received Andy’s smack. Rangers’ attack was moving sweetly when the whistle went for half-time. Celtic started off briskly, and after a free-kick nicely placed by Wilson, McInally had the ball at his foot to walk into the net, but he could not steady himself, and a Ranger managed to clear. With full sail on, Celtic were a different company in these opening minutes. McColgan and McInally were right on the track with shots which looked dangerous all the way. Rangers had a look in after this, but their efforts were not sustained, and the Celtic were back again by aid of two free kicks. McInally gave Thomson an opening, and the Fifer’s shot went straight and true for goal, but Hamilton was right on the spot to hold. And right on top of this battery on the Rangers’ goal McPhail worked himself clear, and from his position about ten yards from the touch line shot as spectacular a goal as one could wish to see. There followed minor injuries to Meiklejohn and McInally, and a touch of feeling crept into the game. McLean shot past after a spell of end-to-end play, and a free kick by McFarlane was cooly pulled down by Hamilton. An injury to Craig, and Morton and he changed places. Meiklejohn was the next to trouble Thomson. With a long free kick from near the centre flag he placed so accurately that Thomson was forced to give away a corner. At the other end A Thomson was desperately near with a hot one, and then McPhail looked like opening out another scoring move for the Rangers, but Archibald, to whom the ball went, shot past. In any criticism of players, one of the first points that must be noted was the personality of McPhail. He was a very clever forward, who took up position instinctively, and spread play quite in the style of his veteran partner Andy Cunningham, and his two goals, both masterpieces in their own way, made the ex-Airdrie man the outstanding personality on the field. Next to the Ranger, the younger McStay deserves most credit for a real good afternoon’s work. He had a very hot handful in the dashing Fleming and came out of the game with flying colours. Thomson, I have said, was to blame for the first goal, but with none of the others had he a real chance. The backs, McStay and Hilley, have played better games, the latter in particular comparing poorly with the Rangers’ two. McCandless and Gray were every sound, with the former the best of the four. He saved Hamilton a great deal of bother with the likely shots he blocked – here, there and everywhere was how he must have appeared to the Celtic marksmen. In the half-back lines, I preferred Celtic in the middle and Rangers on the wing. Shaw as usual was good with his head, but he lacked the accuracy of McStay. Meiklejohn was a splendid provider for his forwards and craig a genuine Worker. McFarlane and Wilson, like the backs behind them, were not always too safe nor sure. McPhail was the star forward, and as a line his was to be preferred to the Celtic one which only at periods moved as sweetly as we know it can. Archibald after a poor start was a strong-going wing, and Morton, whose bouts with McStay were a tit-bit, had some lovely crosses, the one that led up to the first goal being very smart. Fleming lived up to his form of the past few weeks. His dash and elan gave Celtic many bad moments, and Cunningham’s two great shots that hit the woodwork – speak his worth. Celtic’s best in front were Connolly, McInally and Thomson. McColgan was not in receipt understudy to McGrory, and Adam McLean had some nice touches, including his goal. Connolly at times their best, was strangely inconsistent, and faded out with the game. Just a word perhaps about the refereeing. There were too many stoppages in the second half, and this did not improve the temper of the contestants.
