T Craig 15
Fleming 45, >45, xx
Match Information
Attendance: 70,000
Referee: T Small (Dundee)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Seventy thousand witnessed Rangers’ all-potent League team carry on its smashing career in the Cup. The Jags, with that Dental Cup victory buoying them up, thought that they could do so again in the Cup proper. But they were sadly mistaken. Rangers never once in those 90 minutes yesterday afternoon wavered an ich, and despite a plucky fight by the Thistle, won quite as easily as the margin 5-1 suggests. Rangers proved themselves to be a rare Cup-tie combine. Not afraid to mix it, they managed to keep their balance, and refused to be shaken by any shock tactics. In the first quarter of an hour or so it looked as if Thistle would make a fight of it. Then came one of those battering attacks in which half-a-dozen Rangers were lying ready to clinch the slightest opening. To Craig fell the honour of opening the account, and a grand score it was. From then on Rangers consolidated their position, and although it was close on half-time before a second goal materialised Thistle’s heroic defence alone kept them at bay. Jackson was particularly brilliant in his saving, and it was unfortunate that he should mess Fleming’s shot after he had held it so cleverly. It slipped out of his hands into the net. One down at half-time would not have been so hopeless a task for Thistle, because they had the breeze thereafter to help them, but with two goals to their credit Rangers looked safe. And s0 they were. Starting off the second half in hurricane style, they made it 4-0 before Fraser notched a single for Thistle. Then just to show that they were on velvet Rangers went away again, and Morton put up the nap hand. Rangers were a storm. That describes it. Fleming in getting three goals proved a terror to Lambie, but it was to McPhail that most credit is due. The old Airdrieonian has had a wonderful New Year, and yesterday his leading out work was the equal of Cunningham’s at his best. The wingers appreciated the heavy going, and Archibald came well into the picture. Muirhead came into the game in the second half, when he gave a class display. The whole half-back line was good. It is difficult to pick and choose between them. First, Craig then Buchanan, and then Meiklejohn shone in their different ways. Craig’s best for a long time, it was. Hamilton, in goal, had little to do, and Craig and the Newry Hamilton saw to it that Thistle did their shooting from afar. Thistle’s best were in the defence. Jackson, except for his one lapse, could not have done better. In jumping up to high balls his timing was perfect, and he saved Thistle many a goal. That merely shows how deadly the Rangers’ forwards were. The better back was O’Hare, but Lambie next to Jackson was the star. The big fellow had a lot to do – holding Fleming and covering the wings – but he did it well. In this he was well supported by Elliot. Ness was disappointing in front. On one occasion he was left with an easy score and pushed the ball at Hamilton, and his deadly crosses were noticeable by their absence. Ballantyne was the best of a line that never knitted, but his methods were too studied and slow. Boardman was bottled by Meiklejohn, and the left wing could never see daylight through the vigilant Gray and the top o’ form Craig. Rangers booked the advantage of an easterly breeze, but Thistle took no notice of this and tore into the game right away. Ballantyne brought down the house with a tricky back-heeler, and Ness rattled in a rare cross. But once Rangers got moving, they were dangerous, and two corners came in quick succession. From the second of these Archibald, from the wing position, hit the upright at the top. A Morton lob to Fleming all but produced a goal. It did not take Thistle long to retaliate. Ness and Torbet swing down on the backs, and on one occasion Boardman was unlucky to have a five-yarder blocked by a defender. This spell of Thistle attack was suddenly broken up. McPhail rattled the Thistle left defence and Elliot made a faulty clearance which went to Morton. Fleming, McPhail and Archibald all had shots blocked before Craig came running in and with a hefty hook shook the rigging for the first time. Thirteen minutes had gone – lucky for Rangers. Thus inspired, Rangers’ play improved greatly, and Morton and Archibald showed themselves in great form. McPhail was right on the mark with a 40-yarder. Jackson, jumping up, tipped it over the bar. Rangers claimed a goal when Fleming sent in a rattler, but Jackson had saved just on the line, and he followed this up with tipping Craig’s mighty effort over the bar. Three minutes of the first half remained for play when Rangers bore down again, Hamilton put a free-kick into the goalmouth and Fleming’s header went into Jackson’s arms. The keeper held it, but he turned round to avoid Fleming and Muirhead, and in so doing slipped the ball out of his arms into the net for the second goal. It was very tough luck on poor Jackson, who had given a masterly first-half display. A human whirlwind! That describes Rangers’ restart. They were banging in on Jackson when Buchanan received an injury which caused a temporary stoppage. McPhail was a star turn in Rangers’ moves, his anticipation was uncanny, and he, more than any other, upset Thistle’s calculation. Thistle’s first real chance came with a free kick. O’Hare punted the ball into the goal, and Hamilton mishandled. Boardman was not able to take advantage, and the danger passed. Buchanan was the hero of Rangers’ third goal. After a piece of sustained pressure on the Rangers’ right he sent a beautiful cross into the centre, where Fleming, the ever-ready, was right on top of Jackson to score with his head. Ness had a gilt-edged chance to put another kick into the game, but he failed. Pretty work between the Thistle middlemen out the winger in possession, with only Hamilton to beat. The keeper dashed out – his only hope – and Ness shot into his arms. A tricky move by Muirhead set Archibald off again. Muirhead carried on from his pass in, and before passing to Fleming he drew the defence. This left the centre on, and his drive left Jackson no chance. Thistle’s mite of consolation came two minutes from the close. Fraser was left in possession with an open defence in front, and without hesitation he banged it in. Hamilton’s fingers touched it, but it went into the net. Immediately after, Morton put on a fifth for Rangers after Fleming had put him in position.
