Skinner 44
Match Information
Attendance: 14,000
Referee: J Thomson (Burnbank)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
It is not detracting from Airdrieonians deserved victory at Ibrox to say that Rangers struck rock-bottom. It was r-easily the worst display they have given for donkeys years. It was difficult to say what was wrong, because nearly everything was wrong. Airdrie played by far the better all-round game. The ball jumped a lot, but the Broomfield players were not the least but troubled by that. They could trap it and control it with comparative ease, while all the time scarcely a Ranger, could get it under command at the first attempt. Paterson certainly had to make some fine saves in the first half, but he always had a chance whereas Tom Hamilton had none when Skinner beat him a minute from the interval by flicking through a centre from Bertram. Airdrie were solid and safe in defence. Paterson was cool and resourceful, and Crapnell and McQueen kept good position and kicked with consistent success. The half-backs never let the Rangers forwards get on to a game. Morrison held McGown in the first half, and Fleming in the second when these two changed places. Sharp forced the play grandly. Preston was easily the master of the Rangers left wing along with Crapnells co-operation. Broomfields attack was always the more dangerous. The forwards made thing look easy, while the Rangers front line was struggling to do the simplest things. The Airdrie men kept position, and knew where to find one another, and everything was done in a more clean-cut way. Johnston and McDonald got along well together, and Bertrams centres came over temptingly, even if he put a few outside. Skinner was always on the go, and Meiklejohn had continually to be on the watch. After the first fifteen minutes it was clear that Rangers were on a bad patch. The forwards had no plan, no cohesion and really one marksman Marshall. Conlin was too often out of position, and the ball repeatedly beat him, as it did Marshall. Morton caught the infection and could not rise above a mediocre level. There was a lack of solidity at half-back also. Murray had quite a good first half but shaded away, and McDonald lacked fire. Nor was Gray up to his usual. Newry Hamilton was one of the few successes, and Tom Hamilton had no chance with the goal. Rangers deserved to lose for the first time in the League at Ibrox this season. They can surely never play worse
