Match ended 0-0
Match Information
Attendance: 42,000
Referee: T Dougray (Burnside)
Matchday: Monday
Match Trivia
Forty-two thousand were at Ibrox to see Rangers and Celtic play their 84th League match. That was wonderful. For hours before the start the rain lashed mercilessly and there was half a gale of wind to challenge the courage of even the most ardent followers of Scotlands two most famous clubs. Those who were brave enough, were given the opportunity of enjoying a match that was contested on the keenest of sporting lines. Allowing for the conditions, it was a splendid game, not by a long way, so good as I have seen between the same clubs, but good in every sense considering the breeze and the unfavourable underfoot conditions. I do not think anyone will dispute the statement that Rangers were the stronger, more assertive team, and that, on the run of the play, they should have won. But though the scoring chances were there, faulty shooting, due to the difficulty of taking the skidding ball, denied them the opportunity of getting one over their old rivals. Apart from the chances missed, I must give a hearty pat on the back to Kennaway, who gave as good an exhibition of goalkeeping as I have seen for a long time. He never put a hand wrong. His anticipation could not have been better. Perhaps, he was a wee bit lucky now and again, but good goalkeepers command lucky. It is what they deserve. Hogg was another big factor in preventing the Rangers forwards driving home their attack. He was quick in going in, and more than once he cut across in the second half, to retrieve a difficult situation for McGonagle. I would put Hogg down as the best back on the ground. He had a formidable task, and he faced up to it like a hero. McGonagle also played a big part in pulling Celtic through with a draw. He was a determined fighter, and although beaten at times, he never gave in. Where Rangers held an undoubted advantage was in front. Their inside forwards were much stronger than the Celtic inside trio, but the wing men were not in keeping with them, although both Fleming and Smith worked position sometimes with all the appearance of going in to score. Marshall was a great driving force. I have not seen him better. He wrought himself to the last ounce, now forging ahead, and at other times, going back to the assistance of his half-backs. I would put Marshall and Kennaway as the two outstanding men of the match. There was no more resolute fighter than McPhail, who drove through the mud in great style, but occasionally he held the ball when he should have let go with the wind behind him. He had one of the best shots of the match in the second half, and it was Kennaways luck to be in the way of the ball as it came flying at him. English was full of life but suffered from his colleagues not giving him the ball and gone into position to get it back. Smith worked position nicely enough at times, but I feel he would be happier at centre, especially in such a match as yesterdays. Celtic had a good right wing, and what chance they had of winning lay there. Until he tired, Alex Thomson put about his passes like a master. In the second half, Bert Thomson kept well in, and had he been played more to then, anything might have happened. As a line, however, the Celtic attack was not on a par with the Rangers five. Napier was too individual. He could hold the ball, but he was too fond of cutting across the field instead of making headway. This reacted unfavourable on both of the ODonnells, who did very well under the circumstances. I think F ODonnell is a boy of promise. Brown, I thought the best half-back on the ground. He was a regular live wire, had variation, and played the ball all over the ground. After him I would place McStay, who was never afraid to come out. When the opportunity occurred of forcing the game, he was there every time. Kennedy did more than well. His tackling was well times, and he did the right time in going for a shot. No one came nearer scoring than he did. If he erred, it was in lobbing the ball for the pass instead of putting it along the ground. A lobbed ball always gives the opposition time to come in and anticipate. Gray and McDonald were sound backs under pressure, which occurred only now and again. Dawson had really only one direst shot to save, but many times it looked as if the Celtic forwards would give him trouble. It was a case of flattering to deceive. The Parkhead attack would begin in the most promising style, and then break down. But again, and again the condition caused well meant passes either to go a trifle too fast or get held on the heavy ground. It was the same for both sides. What mattered most was that the match was contested on good sporting lines, was full of incident, and that the issue was in the balance until the last kick. And even if Rangers had the best of it, no one could possibly grudge Celtic their hard-earned point. One incident in the second half I should mention. Bert Thomson was going through when he went down. The referee signalled, for a penalty kick. Rangers appealed, and when the referee consulted the linesman on the near side, he annulled his ruling, and dropped the ball. Evidently the linesman had seen more than the referee who was behind the players. It was a fair charge, but Bert, I suppose, thought he might as well fall down, and chance his luck. Matches have been won by penalties which should not have been penalties at all.
