Fleming 49, 59
S Archibald 64
Match Information
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: A.H. Leishman (Falkirk)
Matchday: Tuesday
Match Trivia
I have taken part in many never-to-be-forgotten matches with Celtic. I enjoyed playing in them, because we all knew that every man was out to fight as if for his life. Watching yesterday’s match at Ibrox Park, I thought of some of the famous old Celtic teams of my time, and I can tell you the comparison was not favourable to the present side. I will go so far as to say that this Celtic forward line was the poorest, I have ever seen wearing the colours, I make due allowance for McGrory, but neither of these factors could excuse the poor show made considering the big-hearted efforts made by the half-backs. I consider the Celtic defence did wonders against a Rangers team that became more and more powerful as the game went on. The champions played marvellously fine football for such a pitch, which was very hard on the top. After the first quarter of an hour, I could not see Rangers failing to win. As the game went, they might have been in possession of a two-goal lead at the interval. Marshall had one great chance when the match was only seven minutes old, and I think he would have turned the trick had he gone further in instead of shooting from a distance. A couple of minutes later McPhail, from a lovely centre by Archibald, might have placed the ball in the net with the side of his foot, but he went for power with the instep and the ball went high, as hard-hit were always likely to do. While the rangers were playing the better football, and gradually working up to the game which took them through with a flourish in the second half, the Celtic forwards up till the interval were capable of making a raid now and again. Connolly was given plenty of the ball, and he carried on pretty well, but the line was too disjoined and slow to cause any real anxiety to Tom Hamilton. Coming on for the interval, the Rangers forwards began to sail into the determined Celtic rearguard, who went through a gruelling time. McPhail was tremendous. He controlled the ball wonderfully, opened up the play, and threw any amount of vim into his work. Marshall was playing something of the same type of game at inside-right, and his forage was clever, and he gave both Archibald and Fleming the right kind of passes. There was the incident when Willie McStay ‘armed’ the ball and the referee gave a free-kick to the Celtic. The explanation of this decision ss, I believe, that Fleming was ruled off-side before McStay committed the infringement. Anyhow, it was a narrow escape for Celtic, who were bound, by this time, to have realised that they were up against it. They did well to get to midway without loss, but when Fleming headed the opening goal, from a Morton’s beautiful centre, four minutes after tea time, it was all up with them. It took the crowd a second or so to realise the ball was in the net, for Thomson made no effort to get the ball as it came off Fleming’s head. But Thomson, I image, knew only too well that any effort was useless, for the ball was going away beyond his reach from the moment it left Fleming’s head, and the Rangers’ centre was quite close in. Morton and McPhail were going great guns hereabouts, worrying Wilson and Willie McStay, and causing Thomson to bring off one or two grand saves. But another goal was always on the way, and it came 11 minutes after the first. McPhail transferred to Marshall who, seeing McStay and McGonnigle outspread, promptly pushed the ball through the centre. There was good speed on the ball, and Fleming had to go at top speed to connect. Thomson realised that his only hope was to dash out, which he did, and just as Fleming to Fleming’s head. Seeing Archibald better placed than himself, Fleming made the shot the two of them collided. The ball went into the net and Thomson had to receive attention. Rangers took complete command of the game, and all the resolute neck-or-nothing defence of the Celtic backs and half-backs could not prevent a third goal going on. Let me describe it. Morton went off on a run, as he had been doing to his heart’s content, and centred across right cooly headed backwards to him, and ‘Sandy’ without a moment’s hesitation, took his good right foot to it as it was rising from the ground, and smote it hard into the net. Thomson had only a look at it. Before the end, Thomson saved grandly again, and the Celtic forwards flickered into life several times, but there was no punch in their attack. Rangers finished easy and decisive winners. Really, there was no comparison between the teams as teams, but I cannot do other than pay as tribute to the Celtic defenders. Half-backs and Backs wrought like slaves, and it was a slave’s task that was set them. It must have been heartbreaking to see such a poor lot of forwards in front of them. I know what it is to be playing half-back behind men who cannot take the strain off you. Willie McStay, tough run practically to a standstill, was a fighter. The condition were severe on him, he being a heavy man, and you must allow for that. McGonnigle kicked as well as any back on the field, and he too fought it out. Thomson had no chance with any of the goals. I suppose there would be some headshaking when the Rangers team lined up and the formation was observed. Everything worked out right. However. Buchanan will agree with me that he will never have an easier afternoon. Crozier was Celtic’s cleverest forward, but he never came near mastering Gray’s deputy. The Celtic winger got little help from Thomson, who I have never seen so ineffective. Ulsterman Hamilton found things going well for him. His returns were strong and clean, and he often intervened with his head. Behind, Tom Hamilton was as safe as could be. The half-backs touched a high standard, though I thought Meiklejohn could have safely afforded to go further up with his forwards to help drive home the attack. He had little to fear from Gray, who was easily overtaken. Craig, I would say, was the best of a good line. He got the ball under control, fed his forwards and followed up to receive the return. What a versatile chap is Muirhead! There he comes back to his old place, and you couldn’t tell he had ever been away from it. I think the Rangers owed a lot to Marshall and McPhail. They were first to settle, they were strong in forcing their way through, their ball control was splendid = and they were always in the tick of it. The work they performed was, to my mind, the keystone to the victory. Morton’s second-half display had a wearing effect on Wilson and McStay, and he had a direct share in two of the goals. Archibald tried often for the goal he got at last. Fleming, like Marshall and McPhail, was a power, and his flicks with the head appealed to me specially. There was not a weak forward in the Rangers line.
