McCartney 3
S Archibald 7
Match Information
Attendance: 14,000
Referee: M Quinn (Bellshill)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Morton invariably put the big guns properly through the mill down at Cappielow, and for this visit of the Rangers yesterday they made no exception to their general practice. Yet at the same time, although the Light Blues were forced to exert practically every ounce all through, and their winning margin at the finish was the narrowest possible, somehow or other Rangers ultimate victory never seemed to be in doubt. Morton were ever too straggly a bunch forward to beat into subjection the Ibrox rear half-dozen. True enough the Tail of the Bank front line put in a lot of attacking, especially in the second half, when the wind helped, but too much of it was of a futile character and took Morton absolutely nowhere. A little more guile in the inside positions, and Rangers might not have had their defensive trouble to seek. But Russell and Black were indifferent inside men in the Cappielow van, and never got the line moving in cohesive fashion. Which was a pity, because McCartney and Shankley struck me as being capable of doing damage had they been given a better supply of the ball. It was a cross from Shakley, as a matter of fact, which put Morton into a lead that was nothing short of sensational after only a couple of minutes play. Russell sent the ball ahead, and the winger racing past Brown, got possession at the corner flag. His resultant cross was dangerous, so much so that it was an achievement on Tom Hamiltons part in managing to get his finger to it. But the goalkeepers clearance only averted the goal for a matter of seconds. Out the ball came to McCartney, and with his head Charlie did the needful. This was something in the nature of a facer for Rangers, who had the wind at their back, and straightaway they set about getting level. Two minutes sufficed for the Ibrox equalising point. A rather fortunate goal it proved too, Bulloch inadvertently getting a foot to one of Archibalds scorchers from the wing and deflecting the ball past Wilson. Brown showed the opportunism inherent in him when he put the Light Blues on the lead ere the first quarter of an hour had been clocked. Alan Morton placed a throw-in at the corner-flag to McPhail, who in turn squared to Brown, and George from just outside the box scored with a first-time right foot drive. This finished the scoring, but with the turn Morton missed a grand chance. McCartney beat his man out on the left ere sending over a picture cross, which simply shrieked to be sent home. There were no takers, however. Then, on the half-hour, Morton came away with their best raid of the day. Lyle started the siege with a grand low drive that Tom Hamilton touched out and no more towards the right. Shankley crossed and Rangers goal was in jeopardy until Gray headed clear. Hamilton was safe in Rangers goal, and Gray on the day showed up in a better light than Bob Hamilton. All three Ibrox middlemen caught the eye. In front McPhail and Marshall were best. Young Smith seemed slow to me at centre, while Archibald and Morton were rather inclined to take things easy all the time. Mortons rear trio formed by far the best part of the side. Bulloch shone most in the middle. Lyle got few chances to shine as leader of the line
